EU parliament backs Ukraine, slams Orban's controversial visit
17 July 2024 20:25
The first resolution adopted during the new term of the European Parliament affirmed support for Ukraine and condemned Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's visit to Russia. On Thursday, 495 MEPs voted for the resolution in the 720-seat chamber.
On the second day of the inaugural session, the European Parliament expressed strong support for Kyiv. The resolution was backed by a significant majority of MEPs. 137 voted against it, and 47 abstained.
MEPs called on the European Union and its member states to increase military support to Ukraine for as long as necessary and in all possible forms. They also urged the European Commission to propose long-term financial assistance for Ukraine's reconstruction.
In the resolution, MEPs also stated that EU member states should commit to providing military support to Ukraine amounting to at least 0.25 percent of their GDP – RMF FM reports.
The European Parliament condemns Orban's visit to Russia
The EP condemned Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's recent visit to Moscow, considering it a blatant violation of EU treaties and common foreign policy, including the principle of loyal cooperation. As stated in the resolution, the Hungarian Prime Minister cannot claim to represent the EU when he violates the Union's common stance on the war in Ukraine.
In the EP's assessment, this "violation" should result in consequences for Hungary. The chamber reminded that directly after Orban's so-called peace mission, Russia attacked the Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv. This demonstrated the "insignificance of the alleged efforts" of the Hungarian Prime Minister and was met with scepticism by the Ukrainian authorities—MEPs emphasised.
MEPs also want to establish a "legal regime for the confiscation of Russian state assets frozen by the EU."
Recently, "Politico" reported that Brussels is highly irritated by the behaviour of the Hungarian Prime Minister, who has made several unannounced foreign visits recently. The day after Hungary assumed the presidency of the EU, Orban made an unexpected visit to Kyiv and, three days later, to Moscow.
