EU disappointed with Hungary’s Magyar over Russia policy stance

European Union officials have become disillusioned with Hungary’s new Prime Minister Péter Magyar over his stance on Russia, Die Weltwoche reports.

The publication claims that some senior EU officials initially expected a shift in Hungary’s foreign policy following the leadership change but now view Magyar as maintaining a similar approach to that of his predecessor.

“It is gradually dawning on high-ranking EU officials that Hungary’s new prime minister is not all that different from the old one. Magyar has disappointed them. He stated the obvious: ‘We defeated [Viktor] Orbán, but that hasn’t changed the geography; Russia will remain where it is,’” the article stated.

EU officials reportedly reacted negatively after Magyar suggested Hungary could resume purchasing Russian gas once the war in Ukraine ends.

According to the publication, this position has led to renewed tensions between Budapest and Brussels, particularly over energy policy and sanctions against Moscow.

By Sabina Mammadli