A group of bipartisan U.S. lawmakers is pressuring Hungary to promptly approve Sweden’s application to join NATO, stating that their patience with Hungary’s delays is wearing thin. Hungary is currently the only NATO member that has not yet supported Sweden’s membership bid, causing frustration within the alliance. U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis released a joint statement calling on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to advance Sweden’s NATO accession protocols without further delay, warning that Hungary’s inaction jeopardizes its relationship with the United States and NATO. Despite Orbán’s previous assurances that Hungary wouldn’t be the last NATO member to approve Sweden’s application, the attention has turned to Budapest as NATO seeks to expand in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Hungarian parliament has yet to schedule a vote on the protocols, and it is unlikely to occur until late February when the parliament reconvenes. Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin raised the possibility of imposing sanctions on Hungary and called Orbán the least reliable member of NATO. Cardin suggested that the Biden administration should review Hungary’s participation in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program and consider initiating sanctions against Hungarian individuals under the Global Magnitsky Act due to concerns about corruption in the country. He also expressed gratitude for the European Union’s approval of a 50-billion euro aid package to Ukraine, overcoming Orbán’s attempted veto. In a radio interview, Orbán, considered by critics as the Kremlin’s closest ally in the EU, expressed doubts about Ukraine’s ability to defeat Russia and questioned the continuation of the war.
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers is urging Hungary to ratify Sweden’s application to join NATO, as Hungary is the only country in the alliance that hasn’t yet backed Sweden’s membership bid. U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis released a joint statement calling on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to approve Sweden’s accession protocols without further delay, warning that Hungary’s inaction could damage its relationship with the United States and NATO. U.S. Senator Ben Cardin also raised the possibility of imposing sanctions on Hungary for its conduct and criticized Orbán as the least reliable member of NATO. Cardin suggested that the Biden administration should examine whether Hungary should continue to participate in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program and consider initiating sanctions against Hungarians under the Global Magnitsky Act. Orbán, who has been seen as a close ally of the Kremlin, expressed doubt about Ukraine’s ability to defeat Russia’s invasion.
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