Hungary's Strategic Alliances Under Fire: EU Criticizes Budapest's Russian and Chinese Ties

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticizes Hungary's closer ties with Russia and China, claiming it risks European security. In a European Parliament debate, von der Leyen slammed Budapest's reluctance to support Ukraine and highlighted concerns over Hungary's visa policies and energy reliance on Russia.

In a scathing address, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has accused Hungary of undermining European security through its burgeoning relationships with Russia and China. Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, von der Leyen sharply criticized Budapest's stance in the ongoing Ukraine conflict and highlighted its independent diplomatic moves and energy dependency as threats to unity within the EU.

The debate, which featured nationalist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, saw von der Leyen question Hungary's reluctance to align with the EU against Russia, emphasizing Budapest’s contentious decision to strengthen ties with Moscow and Beijing. Orban, whose tenure has been marked by clashes with EU norms, expressed surprise at the criticism and defended his policies, including recent diplomatic visits carried out without EU coordination.

Von der Leyen further spotlighted Hungary's visa laxity for Russians and Belarusians as a security concern, while also condemning a controversial agreement allowing Chinese police operations within Hungarian borders. Energy dependency was also a focal point, with von der Leyen condemning Hungary's continued reliance on Russian energy amidst the broader European shift towards reducing such dependencies.

(With inputs from agencies.)