The European Union (EU) is reportedly considering revoking Hungary’s presidency of the bloc due to Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s recent trip to Moscow, according to Politico EU. The diplomatic sources cited by the publication indicate growing frustration among member states over Orban’s actions, particularly his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Hungary assumed the rotating European Council presidency and pledged to make “Europe great again” (MEGA), a motto that has already sparked irritation among some member states. Following a visit to Ukraine and a meeting with its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, Orban traveled to Russia, drawing outrage from both Kiev and Brussels.
An unnamed EU diplomat told Politico on Monday that the Hungarian presidency would be permanently overshadowed by Orban’s meeting with Putin. The same source stated that the presidency effectively ended before it truly began.
Politico described Orban as having gone “rogue” and suggested that EU ambassadors could move beyond mere public condemnations, possibly taking concrete action to restrain Budapest during their Wednesday meeting. Another anonymous diplomat confirmed there is a “very clear political disapproval” of Orban in Brussels and added that the ambassadors are discussing what actions should be taken on Wednesday.
Daniel Hegedus, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund think-tank, argued that the EU could potentially end Hungary’s presidency within weeks by shifting the start of Poland’s presidency to September 1, effectively cutting short Hungary’s term in office. This move would require a four-fifths majority in the European Council.
Orban has dismissed criticism that he does not have a mandate to represent the EU, stating that his peace missions are not traditional negotiations and therefore do not require one. He argued that while bigger powers may be able to end the conflict, Hungary can still be “a good tool in the hands of God” to promote peace.
Hungary has been one of the few EU members consistently critical of the bloc’s unwavering support for Ukraine, urging Brussels instead to focus on peace efforts. Budapest has blocked financial plans to finance Kiev’s weapons purchases, declined to participate in training programs for Ukrainian troops, and refused passage of weapons and equipment through its territory en route to Ukraine.