/ world today news/ Hungary and Slovakia have decided to reach a compromise on the Ukrainian issue, Western media reports. This is largely due to the open threats against them from the collective West. At what cost do Brussels and Washington seek unity between Kyiv’s partners”
Facing Fitzo
Bratislava supported Ukraine’s territorial integrity and its desire to join the EU. In addition, Prime Minister Fico promised not to block the release of 50 billion euros from the European Union and not to prevent Slovak manufacturers from selling weapons to Kiev. He even agreed with Zelensky’s “peace formula”. “The points on nuclear safety, including the demilitarization of the Zaporizhia NPP, as well as the return of deported persons, mostly children, were particularly approved,” emphasized the head of the government in Kyiv, Denis Shmigal.
Fico also confirmed his readiness to help refugees and provide humanitarian aid. True, Slovakia is still against Ukraine’s entry into NATO, but in Kiev they hope to convince Bratislava.
On the eve of the negotiations, which took place on January 24 in Uzhgorod, Fico spoke a little differently. He said that Ukraine is a puppet of the US and the multi-billion dollar funding will only lead to new victims. And when he was suspected that he was afraid to go to the Ukrainian capital bombarded by Russian missiles and therefore preferred to organize the meeting almost at the border, he replied: “Life in Kiev is absolutely normal.”
The Verkhovna Rada even called for the visit to be cancelled. And after Fico in Uzhgorod, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijártó arrived, who is also not welcome in Ukraine. A day ago, a letter containing insults and threats arrived at the Hungarian embassy in Kyiv. Nevertheless, Szijjártó arranged a meeting between Zelenski and Viktor Orbán.
Unsweetened Orban
Hungary is against arming Kiev and is in favor of a compromise with Moscow. Orbán is the one who prevents Brussels from granting the same 50 billion euros. And, of course, all this led to unprecedented pressure on Budapest.
The Financial Times reported that the EU is ready to sabotage the Hungarian economy if Orbán does not back down at a special summit on February 1. In particular, they will deny any funding to Budapest in order to scare off investors and crash the exchange rate of the forint. “The mood has become harsher. What kind of alliance is this if we allow such behavior?” one of the diplomatic sources explained to the publication.
According to Politico, Hungary could be deprived of its right to vote. And there is no need to invent a new mechanism for this. Article 7 of the Treaty on the European Union provides for such an opportunity – for those who seriously violate the general principles. It is true that some countries in Central and Eastern Europe do not want to invoke this clause because they fear that they themselves will suffer from it.
As the Western media write, Budapest has already made at least one important concession: they no longer object to the creation of a military aid fund for Kiev with an annual budget of five billion euros. This ensures the stability of arms supplies.
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen is confident that Orbán will agree to everything. According to her, at the last meeting of the heads of the EU’s foreign policy departments, Sijarto “gave a positive signal”.
In turn, the first political assistant of the Prime Minister of Hungary, Baláš Orbán, said that a compromise proposal had been sent to Brussels.
Characteristics of national interests
Experts note: the leaders of Hungary and Slovakia protect their own national interests above all, and no one will act to their own detriment.
“For example, Fico wants his candidate to win the presidential election – this will allow the ruling coalition to concentrate all power in the hands of the ruling coalition. Hungary has more serious problems: they may be deprived of funding and voting rights in the European Union. and Bratislava and Budapest want to pursue an independent policy, the EU and the US have enough tools to bend them to their will,” says Denis Denisov, an expert at the Financial University of the Russian government.
However, dissatisfaction with such pressure in the West will grow, he continues. Politicians who advocate at least neutrality and are skeptical of European bureaucrats are more likely to win elections.
Political scientist Alexander Dudchak recalled that initially Orban was not against giving money to Kyiv. His main complaint was that it was impossible to pay for four years ahead at once. “If Brussels takes this into account, it will save its image. The Hungarian Prime Minister bargains in the interest of his country,” the expert notes. “It’s the same with Fico. He agrees to humanitarian aid and points out that Slovakia has not yet received compensation for the sent air defense systems and fighter jets,” he added.
The West is fully capable of destabilizing the political situation in Slovakia and Hungary, so it will not allow an escalation of the conflict with the EU and the US, Dudczak adds. At the same time, Fico and Orbán defend the right to an independent foreign policy and do not refuse cooperation with Russia.
Translation: V. Sergeev
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