Hungary Abandons Veto Blackmail, Seeks EU Trust Under New Government

At a parliamentary confirmation hearing on May 11, 2024, foreign minister Anita Orban announced that Hungary will no longer use its EU veto as a “blackmail” tool, pledging to restore trust with the EU and NATO.

Hungary will not blackmail the EU with its veto power, says new Foreign Minister

Under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Hungary blocked EU measures, notably a €90 billion loan for Ukraine, leading to suspension of tens of billions in EU funding over rule-of-law concerns. The Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar, campaigned to restore those funds.

Hungary says it will no longer use veto as tool of pressure on EUHungary will not blackmail the EU with its veto power, says new Foreign MinisterHungary Says It Will Stop Using EU Veto as ‘Blackmail’

• Anita Orban – Foreign minister, unrelated to Viktor Orbán.

Hungary will not blackmail the EU with its veto power, says new Foreign Minister

• Péter Magyar – Prime minister, sworn in May 9, 2024; leader of the Tisza party.

Hungary says it will no longer use veto as tool of pressure on EU

• European Union – Provider of the suspended funds.

Hungary says it will no longer use veto as tool of pressure on EU

• NATO – Alliance whose confidence Hungary seeks.

Hungary will not blackmail the EU with its veto power, says new Foreign Minister

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy – Ukrainian president, who congratulated Magyar.

Hungary says it will no longer use veto as tool of pressure on EU

• April 2024 – Hungary lifts its veto after Kyiv repairs the Druzhba pipeline.

Hungary Says It Will Stop Using EU Veto as ‘Blackmail’

• May 9, 2024 – Péter Magyar sworn in as prime minister.

Hungary says it will no longer use veto as tool of pressure on EU

• May 11, 2024 – Anita Orban declares the end of veto “blackmail.”

Hungary will not blackmail the EU with its veto power, says new Foreign Minister

• €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine, blocked for months.

Hungary Says It Will Stop Using EU Veto as ‘Blackmail’

• “Tens of billions” of euros frozen for Hungary over rule-of-law issues.

Hungary will not blackmail the EU with its veto power, says new Foreign Minister

• Hungary’s economy has shown minimal growth over the past three years.

Hungary will not blackmail the EU with its veto power, says new Foreign Minister

The foreign ministry set three priorities: stop using vetoes for political leverage; strengthen judicial independence and public-spending oversight to meet EU rule-of-law standards; restore EU funding while supporting Ukraine’s EU integration only when it aligns with “strict national interest.” The government also reaffirmed its demand for expanded rights for the ethnic Hungarian minority in Ukraine.

Hungary Says It Will Stop Using EU Veto as ‘Blackmail’

EU officials have called Hungary’s veto use obstructive to collective security and sanctions on Russia. Rule-of-law concerns remain a funding barrier, and critics warn that demands for minority rights in Ukraine could strain bilateral relations.

Hungary Says It Will Stop Using EU Veto as ‘Blackmail’

Sources differ on the spelling of the foreign minister’s name (Anita Orban vs. Anita Orbán) and on the amount of frozen EU money (“tens of billions” versus the €90 billion loan). No source details a plan for judicial reforms.

Hungary will not blackmail the EU with its veto power, says new Foreign Minister

• “Too often Hungary has been a problem in Europe's decision-making. We used the veto not as a last resort but for political theater,” — Anita Orban, Foreign Minister

Hungary says it will no longer use veto as tool of pressure on EU

• “She added that Budapest would continue demanding expanded rights for Ukraine’s ethnic Hungarian minority, echoing Magyar’s recent demands following his meeting with the mayor of a Hungarian-majority city in Ukraine.” — Anita Orban, Foreign Minister

Hungary Says It Will Stop Using EU Veto as ‘Blackmail’

The Magyar administration will negotiate the release of suspended EU funds while presenting judicial-reform proposals to Brussels. Talks with Kyiv on minority rights and Ukraine’s EU accession will test the new “national-interest” framework, and EU and NATO observers will monitor rule-of-law compliance.

Hungary Says It Will Stop Using EU Veto as ‘Blackmail’