NATO allies, including the US ambassador, are warning Hungary of the risks of its “close and expanding” relationship with Russia, Reuters reports.
Tensions between Orbán’s government and US President Joe Biden’s administration escalated in recent weeks as Orbán openly backed Republican Donald Trump’s bid for the US presidency after meeting with him in Florida.
US envoy to Hungary David Pressman warned on the 25th anniversary of Hungary’s membership of the NATO military alliance that “we will have to decide how best to protect our security interests” if Budapest supported Moscow.
These legitimate security concerns – shared by Hungary’s 31 allies – cannot be ignored.
Pressman stated that Hungary was an ally “that behaves unlike any other.” Relations deteriorated after Orbán praised Trump as the only US presidential candidate who could end the war in Ukraine by cutting off military aid to Kyiv.
Budapest opposes Russia’s moves in Ukraine, but Orbán refuses to send arms to Kyiv and has repeatedly criticised EU sanctions against Moscow. Pressman claimed Hungary was openly calling on the US and other allies to cut off military support to Ukraine in order to achieve an immediate ceasefire and ensure peace talks.
The United States also wants peace. We want this war to end. But the Hungarian proposal does not stand up to reality.
