Koshta: Hungary is Isolated

AUTHOR: M.J. GDNUS

"We respect Hungary's position, but it is just one of 27. And 26 is more than one," said European Council President Antonio Koshta after the EU summit dedicated to the future of Ukraine.

"Hungary is isolated," Koshta stated on Thursday at the end of the extraordinary EU summit, where Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocked the adoption of joint conclusions in support of Ukraine, forcing the leaders to adopt an attached "excerpt" that was supported by 26 member states instead.

The final text speaks of "peace through strength," military aid, and security guarantees for Kyiv – all of which Orban opposed.

Before the summit, Orban publicly announced his intention to veto the proposed document, claiming it contradicted the initiative for a deal championed by U.S. President Donald Trump, with which Orban firmly aligned himself.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed reservations but agreed after the heads of state and government added a brief reference to the gas dispute between Bratislava and Kyiv.

Since Orban was unwilling to compromise, the leaders decided to proceed with the more ambitious text at this crucial moment for Ukraine, even though it was signed by only 26 member states instead of the diluted version that Budapest might have accepted.

"Hungary has a different strategic approach to Ukraine," Koshta said at the end of the high-risk meeting in Brussels.

"This means Hungary is isolated among the 27. We respect Hungary’s position, but it is just one of 27. And 26 is more than one."

Despite the lack of unanimity, Koshta said he was "very pleased" with the outcome and promised that the EU would continue to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine. Regarding Orban's threat to block the renewal of sanctions against Russia, Koshtadid not seem concerned, stating that Hungary had supported all 16 rounds of sanctions currently in place.

Echoing his message, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that it has never been more urgent to increase military aid to Ukraine.

Earlier this week, the U.S. temporarily suspended military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine in an attempt to pressure President Volodymyr Zelensky to expedite negotiations with Russia.

Both decisions could have catastrophic consequences for Ukraine on the battlefield.

Zelensky, who personally attended the summit and expressed gratitude for the continuous support of the bloc, announced that his team would meet with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia next week, the same country that previously hosted talks between the U.S. and Russia.

"We are very grateful that we are not alone," Zelensky said on Thursday morning.

Leaving the meeting, Orban responded to the criticism.

"Isolation is relevant for the European Union. The European Union has isolated itself from the U.S., isolated itself from China due to the trade war, and isolated itself from Russia due to its sanctions policy," the Hungarian prime minister told reporters.

"So if anyone is isolated here, it’s the European Union. Hungary has good relations in all three directions, so we are not isolated at all."

Orban said the increase in military and financial aid to Ukraine is "simply too much" for the bloc because, as he warned, the U.S. "will no longer be part of this in the future."

When asked about his personal relationship with Zelensky, which has been marked by tensions and public conflicts, Orban replied: "He is the president of Ukraine, and I respect all leaders of sovereign states, so I respect him."

When further asked if Zelensky was the "right person" to lead the negotiations, Orban simply answered: "You know, he is the leader of Ukraine."