After months of delays, the Hungarian parliament voted to ratify Sweden’s NATO membership bid. Hungary was the last NATO member to approve Sweden’s bid.
The New York Times has the latest on today’s breakthrough to isolate Russia:
The measure passed after a vote of 188 for and only 6 againstin the 199-member Parliament, which is dominated by legislators from the governing Fidesz party of Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Before Monday’s parliamentary vote, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban signed a deal to purchase Saab JAS Gripen fighter jets from Sweden.
“We not only keep our air defense capability but will increase it,” Orban said at a press conference alongside Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
It “means our commitment to NATO will strengthen and so will our participation in NATO’s joint operations,” Orban added.
Kristersson welcomed the breakthrough after a 19-month impasse, calling last week’s dialogue with Orban productive, adding that their nations “have agreed to move forward in fields of common interests.” Kristersson further promised that Saab would construct an AI research facility in Hungary.
Still, the monthslong deadlock left other members of the NATO alliance exasperated and at least some in Washington questioning the reliability of Hungary as an ally.
The Times continues:
Mr. Orban, who has maintained cordial relations with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia despite the war in Ukraine, has a long record of using his country’s veto power over key decisions in Europe to try to extract money or other rewards. That pattern was on display during not only his foot-dragging over Sweden’s NATO membership but also his opposition to a European Union financial package for Ukraine worth $54 billion.
Mr. Orban relented this month on approving E.U. aid for Ukraine, a retreat that raised hopes he would quickly order his Fidesz party to hold a vote in Parliament on Sweden. Mr. Orban had assured the NATO secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, on Jan. 24 that Hungary would ratify Sweden’s entry “at the first possible opportunity.”
The vote on Monday ended a standoff that had soured Hungary’s relations with the United States and other members of NATO. With the exception of Turkey, all approved Sweden’s membership more than a year ago after the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Despite today’s news, observes believe that Budapest’s obstinance will leave a bitter taste in the mouths of policymakers in Washington and Europe’s capital cities.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
