US disappointed with Orban's policy on Ukraine: statement

The US State Department says it is disappointed with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's position on Ukraine. He is the only one in the European Union who questions the support for Kyiv.

This statement was made by the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien, as quoted by Reuters.

"I think we (the U.S. State Department - Ed.) are disappointed that Prime Minister Orban has decided to remain the only one in the European Union who questions support for Ukrainians," O'Brien said.

Hungary, a member of the European Union and NATO, has refused to provide military assistance to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 and has been holding back Sweden's NATO membership aspirations along with Turkey.

Orban's government has also repeatedly promised that it will not be the last to ratify the Nordic country's application to join the North Atlantic Alliance.

O'Brien expressed hope that the Orban government will not back down from these statements and will act constructively.

"Let's see if he keeps that promise as we get closer to Sweden joining the alliance, which I hope will happen in the near future. We would like to see Hungary as a constructive partner," the State Department official said.

The publication notes that relations between Budapest and Washington have deteriorated due to Hungary's delay in ratifying Sweden's accession to NATO, as well as Orban's warm ties with Moscow despite the war in Ukraine.

As reported by OBOZ.UA

Hungary will agree to unblock the EU's €50 billion aid to Ukraine for 4 years but only if the funding is reviewed annually. Some EU diplomats are skeptical of this proposal as it will not provide predictability for Ukraine. In addition, it will allow Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is called "Putin's friend," to blackmail the EU.

The European Union is preparing a "plan B" in case of Hungary's veto on providing financial assistance to Ukraine.

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