THE Emmanuel Macron will host Viktor Orbán, who is going against the grain of his European partners on the war in Ukraine, at a working dinner on Monday, ahead of the March 23 and 24 European Council, the Elysee announced.
The two leaders are expected to “touch on the ongoing discussions at the European level, especially regarding support for Ukraine, strengthening European competitiveness, energy issues and support for the European defense industry”the French presidency said.
THE Viktor Orbanwhich does not stop blasting Europe’s “indirect war” against Russia, made a new appeal at the end of February to declare a ceasefire in the conflict that has been ravaging Ukraine for a year.
Since the start of the Russian offensive in February 2022, the Hungarian government, which is heavily dependent on Russian hydrocarbons, has chosen to maintain an ambiguous stance, avoiding criticism of Vladimir Putin.
Mr Orban, who had a close relationship with Mr Putin before the war, has refused to send arms to Kiev, while he has upheld European sanctions against Moscow, even though his government and its partners approved them.
The French president will refer in his discussion with the Hungarian prime minister to “issues related to the rule of law”, the Elysee also reported.
Since returning to power in 2010, Hungary’s right-wing nationalist leader has gradually weakened control mechanisms, from the media to the judiciary, which has often made him the target of criticism from the European Union.
Among other things, the EU has frozen €12 billion in funds earmarked for Budapest, pending anti-corruption reforms.
Source: News Beast
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