Hungary prevents adoption of EU statement concerning Russian rocket assault

In a significant turn of events, Hungary has blocked the European Union (EU) from issuing a joint declaration condemning Russia's airstrikes on Ukraine. This development occurred in Brussels, the EU's administrative hub.

The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, was only able to publish a text condemning Russia's air strikes on behalf of 26 EU states, not all 27. The EU member states are 27 in number.

The EU's joint declaration, published by Kallas, states that the Russian air strikes on Ukraine once again demonstrate Russia's reckless approach and disregard for international law. It further states that the Russian air strikes demonstrate the need for increased international efforts to ensure peace and stability in Ukraine.

However, the declaration does not indicate any changes in the EU's overall stance towards Russia's actions in Ukraine. Nor does it mention any specific actions to be taken in response to the Russian air strikes on the EU's representation in Kyiv, which was severely damaged during the attacks.

The news agency dpa reported that Hungary's veto of the EU's joint declaration was due to the pledge to intensify support for Ukraine, specifically in the form of accelerating work on a 19th package of sanctions against Russia. Hungary has repeatedly expressed the view that the EU's penalties against Russia are causing more harm than good.

The Russian airstrikes on the EU's representation in Kyiv constitute a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and endangered the lives of diplomats and diplomatic staff. The EU's representation was not mentioned in the joint declaration.

It is important to note that the EU's joint declaration, which was intended to condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine, was not issued due to Hungary's opposition. The declaration does not address any potential consequences for Hungary's veto of the declaration.