Strasbourg (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen bashes Viktor Orbán in a fiery speech to the European Parliament.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Hungary is putting European safety at risk in an unusually blunt address blasting Budapest’s connection with Russia and China. Speaking at a discussion with nationalist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, von der Leyen strived Budapest’s reluctance to join EU partners in supporting Ukraine against Russia’s invasion, and its decisions boosting ties with Moscow and Beijing.
How did von Der Leyen criticize orbán’s stance on Ukraine?
“The world has witnessed the horrors of Russia’s war. And yet, there are still some who accuse this war not on the invader but the invaded. There are still some who accuse this war not of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s lust for power but of Ukraine’s thirst for freedom. So I want to question them, would they ever blame the Hungarians for the Soviet invasion in 1956?” she stated.
How did orbán respond to accusations of siding with Russia?
In reaction, Orban stated he was “surprised” by von der Leyen’s speech and he denied any parallel between Hungary’s failed 1956 uprising against Soviet oppression and Ukraine’s fight to protect its territory. He reiterated his call for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
What concerns were raised about Hungary’s visa program for Russians?
Also, Von der Leyen criticised a Hungarian programme easing visa rules for Russians and Belarusians, and an arrangement between Budapest and Beijing allowing Chinese police officers to patrol in Hungary jointly with their Hungarian counterparts.
“How can it be that the Hungarian government requests Russian nationals into our union without additional security checks? This makes the new Hungarian visa system a security risk not only for Hungary but for all member states,” she stated.
“How can it be that the Hungarian government would permit Chinese police to operate within its territory? This is not protecting Europe’s sovereignty, this is a backdoor for foreign interference,” von der Leyen contended.
Why does Von Der Leyen see Hungary’s energy dependency as a risk?
She also referred to Hungary’s continued dependence on Russian energy after many governments in the 27-member EU decreased their dependency in response to Russia’s invasion. “One member nation just looked for alternative ways to purchase fossil fuels from Russia. Russia has demonstrated time and again it is simply not a trustworthy supplier. There can be no more excuses. Whoever wants European energy security first and only has to contribute to it,” she expressed.
