EU Officials Boycott Hungary's Informal Meetings Amidst Controversial Diplomatic Moves

Top EU officials are boycotting informal meetings hosted by Hungary during its EU presidency due to Prime Minister Viktor Orban's pro-Russian stance and unauthorized diplomatic engagements. Orban’s visits to countries like Russia and China have angered EU leaders, sparking tensions within the bloc.

Top EU officials will boycott informal meetings hosted by Hungary while the country holds the EU's rotating presidency, following controversial diplomatic efforts by Hungary's pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. His unauthorised meetings with foreign leaders regarding Ukraine have angered European partners.

The unusual decision by the European Commission president and other top officials to boycott the meetings was made 'in light of recent developments marking the start of the Hungarian (EU) presidency,' commission spokesperson Eric Mamer stated.

Orban's visits to Ukraine, Russia, Azerbaijan, China, and the United States, which he described as a 'peace mission,' have sparked tensions. EU leaders were not informed about these plans, highlighting Hungary's diverging stance on the Ukraine war and its close ties to Moscow. The European Commission decided that senior civil servants will attend in place of top officials like President Ursula von der Leyen.

(With inputs from agencies.)