Budapest Summit Brings Ceasefire, Yet the War Continues

The European Political Community Summit brought over fifty European leaders to Budapest, including some who have not exactly been cordial towards the Hungarian government, like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Could this mean that tensions are easing? We asked Reka Zsuzsanna Mathe, a senior research fellow at the National University of Public Service’s European Strategy Research Institute and MCC's senior researcher.

Hungarian PM Viktor Orban and EC President Ursula von der Leyen at the Budapest Summit Fotó: (Photo: PM's Press Office, Benko Vivien Cher)

– Politicians always have varying degrees of disagreements and alliances. I would not assign too much significance to such gestures alone.

More importantly, the leaders of key EU institutions - the presidents of the European Parliament and the European Commission - attended, despite leading bodies that have acted overtly hostile toward Hungary and have made no secret of their aim to obstruct Hungary’s rotating presidency. 

The organizing of the EPC is closely linked to the rotating EU presidency, with each successive meeting hosted by the country holding the presidency and then a non-EU country. Thus, Hungary hosted the fifth EPC meeting as the current holder of the presidency. Despite their prior stance, EU institution leaders did not attempt to obstruct the presidency or the event.

– The claim that Hungary is “isolated” is a recurring attack from the opposition. Recently, Manfred Weber went so far as to suggest that no one will speak with Viktor Orban. Did these leaders' attendance provide a strong response, or can we expect the opposition to continue its attacks?

– I wouldn't think that this event will ease prior tensions or put an end to the political attacks.