Members of the Bucharest Nine, a group of central and eastern European NATO allies, have discussed the possibility of excluding Hungary from future meetings due to its opposition towards joint conclusions on aid for Ukraine and NATO membership for Kyiv. The Bucharest Nine was established in 2015 in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Recent meetings have seen Hungary vetoing the group’s decisions, making collaboration difficult. Budapest’s refusal to support draft statements agreed upon by other countries has led to serious discussions about its exclusion from the club, with some saying that they may be meeting in this format for the last time.
Hungary’s stance on NATO and EU policies, particularly regarding Ukraine and Russia, has been a point of contention within the Bucharest Nine. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has expressed concerns about NATO’s direction potentially leading to a clash with Russia, and has advocated for Budapest to redefine its position within the alliance. This has led to Hungary opposing Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the EU, as well as sanctions on Russia, while maintaining close relations with Moscow. The Financial Times reported that Hungary is also blocking legislation that would enable the EU to allocate billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets for Ukrainian aid, further straining its relations with other NATO allies.
The upcoming B9 summit in Riga will see NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg joining the leaders of the central and eastern European NATO member countries. The discussions at these summits have been described as tough, with Hungary’s opposition to joint decisions creating challenges for future collaboration. Budapest’s actions have been seen as undermining Western aid efforts for Ukraine, as well as creating obstacles for Kyiv’s NATO membership aspirations. The possibility of excluding Hungary from the Bucharest Nine has been taken very seriously, with some suggesting that the current format of meetings may not continue if Hungary does not align with the group’s objectives.
The Bucharest Nine was initially formed as a response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in Crimea and Donbas, with the aim of fostering greater cooperation among central and eastern European NATO allies. However, Hungary’s diverging stance on key issues related to Russia, Ukraine, and NATO has created tensions within the group. The lack of consensus on joint conclusions and actions has raised concerns among other member countries about the feasibility of continuing to meet in the current format. The exclusion of Hungary from future meetings is being considered as a potential way to ensure greater unity and collaboration within the Bucharest Nine on key strategic issues.
Hungary’s opposition to Western policies towards Ukraine and Russia has been a consistent point of contention within the Bucharest Nine, highlighting the challenges of maintaining cohesion among central and eastern European NATO allies. The country’s close relations with Moscow, as well as its reluctance to support aid efforts for Ukraine, have strained its relations with other member countries. The upcoming summit in Riga will provide an opportunity for NATO allies to address these issues and potentially decide on the future of Hungary’s participation in the Bucharest Nine. The discussions at the summit are expected to be crucial in determining the group’s unity and effectiveness in addressing shared security challenges in the region.
In conclusion, the discussions within the Bucharest Nine regarding Hungary’s exclusion from future meetings reflect broader tensions within the group over key strategic issues related to Russia, Ukraine, and NATO. Hungary’s diverging stance on these issues has created challenges for collaboration and unity among central and eastern European NATO allies. The upcoming summit in Riga will be a critical moment for the group to address these challenges and decide on the path forward. The potential exclusion of Hungary from the Bucharest Nine underscores the importance of maintaining unity and cohesion among member countries in addressing shared security challenges in the region.
