Hungary
Overall Score
Details
F
Not Yet Done
Accomplishments:
- Welcomed about 0.5 million Ukrainian refugees.
Drawbacks:
- Publicly objects to sending weapons to Ukraine and won't allow lethal weapons to transit its territory.
- Refuses to work with the EU on supporting Ukraine and sanctioning Russia.
Condemnation
Military Support
Providing military support for Ukraine, composed of four key categories:
- Ground Forces Support (e.g. small arms, defensive equipment, anti-tank)
- Air Defense Support
- Communications Support
- Cyber Intelligence Support
- Hungary has said that it will not send weapons to Ukraine.
- Hungary, which borders Ukraine, has also said it will not allow lethal weapons to transit its territory.
Financial & Institutional Sanctions
Identifying sanctions impacting the Russian economy as a whole, including banks, sovereign debt, industry, access to global markets, etc.
Hungary continues to be part of the Russia-led International Investment Bank. The development bank, which moved headquarters to Budapest with the support of the Hungarian government, has been described as “Putin’s Trojan Horse” by the opposition and has raised concerns domestically and internationally.
Sanctions on Oligarchs, Kleptocrats, & Western Enablers
Sanctions on individuals in Putin's inner circle including:
- exposing & seizing their assets
- revoking their visas
- holding them legally accountable where possible
The goal is to convince these individuals that their futures would be better without Putin than with him.
Hunagry did not veto EU sanctions against Russian oligarchs and individuals responsible for the aggression against Ukraine but did nothing independently to investigate Russian "dirty money" within its jurisdiction.
Diplomatic Isolation
Measures taken to isolate Russia diplomatically (e.g. recall of ambassadors & diplomats, stripping Russia of its G20 membership, etc)
Hungary has not yet expelled any Russian diplomats since the war erupted.
Propaganda
Combatting Putin's global propaganda network. While respecting freedom of speech, Putin should not be allowed to spread disinformation while Russia bans every single independent outlet. This measures countries' success in curbing Russian disinformation spread through Russia Today and other platforms.
Politico called Budapest the EU capital of Russian disinformation. Hungarian state and ruling party-affiliated media have repeatedly broadcast conspiracy theories and voiced Russian propaganda.
Replace Russian Energy
Replacing Russian energy exports with alternative energy sources. That includes increasing production and opening new sources from fracking to nuclear to renewables.
Budapest rejects ideas of banning Russian fossil fuel imports into Europe, and has threatened to block any serious sanctions concerning Russian oil and gas.