EU Ministers Boycott Hungary’s EU Meetings Over Orban-Putin Talks

Sweden, along with several other EU countries, will abstain from sending ministers to Hungary-led EU meetings, protesting Victor Orban's meeting with Russian President Putin about a Ukraine peace deal. Orban's actions have drawn criticism within the EU. Hungary holds the EU presidency until Dec. 31.

Sweden and other European Union countries will boycott ministerial meetings under Hungary's EU presidency this month, protesting against Prime Minister Victor Orban's recent discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Swedish government confirmed this stance in a statement on Thursday.

Orban's talks with Putin on a potential Ukraine peace deal sparked outrage among EU leaders who caution against appeasing Moscow. The Hungarian Prime Minister is also expected to meet Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, on Thursday at Trump’s Florida home, according to sources.

Sweden, along with Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, will only be represented by civil servants at the informal government meetings during Hungary’s six-month EU presidency, said Jessika Roswall, Sweden’s Minister for EU Affairs. Additional EU countries are contemplating similar actions, given the contentious nature of Hungary's stance.