Hungary Says It Will Stop Using EU Veto as ‘Blackmail’

Hungary’s new foreign minister, Anita Orban, said the country will no longer use vetoes to pressure the EU and instead seeks to rebuild trust with the bloc and NATO. The new government also aims to restore suspended EU funding and improve relations with Brussels after years of tensions under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Make us preferred on Google Flip Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied The Tisza party?s foreign-minister designate Anita Orban delivers a speech on February 15, 2026 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Ferenc ISZA / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Anita Orban, Hungary’s new foreign minister, said on Monday, May 11, that Budapest would no longer use vetoes in the EU as a tool of “blackmail.” According to Bloomberg , Orban made the remarks during her parliamentary confirmation hearing, pledging to rebuild trust with EU and NATO allies after years of tensions under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, to whom she is not related. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “Too often Hungary has been a problem in Europe’s decision-making,” she said. “We used the veto not as a last resort but for political theater.” She said Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s government would prioritize restoring access to billions of euros in EU funding frozen over rule-of-law concerns. She said the new government plans to strengthen judicial independence and improve oversight of public spending in order to regain Brussels’ trust. Despite the shift in tone toward the EU, Hungary’s new top diplomat said Budapest would support Ukraine’s closer integration into the bloc only where it aligns with Hungarian national interests. She added that Budapest would continue demanding expanded rights for Ukraine’s ethnic Hungarian minority, echoing Magyar’s recent demands following his meeting with the mayor of a Hungarian-majority city in Ukraine. Under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Hungary repeatedly blocked or delayed major EU decisions, particularly those related to Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, and military or financial aid for Kyiv. Other Topics of Interest EU President Signals Readiness for Russia Dialogue at ‘Right Moment’ Speaking at a ‘Europe Day’ celebration in Brussels on Saturday, May 9, European Council President António Costa emphasized that the EU will only engage in direct talks with Vladimir Putin at the “right moment” to avoid disrupting President Donald Trump’s diplomatic initiative. The remarks follow reports suggesting the EU was preparing for immediate peace talks. While EU officials acknowledge that speaking to Moscow is an “existential issue” for European security, they maintain there is currently no evidence of Russian willingness to engage in a just peace. One of the latest disputes involved a €90 billion ($105 billion) EU loan package for Ukraine , which Budapest blocked for months before eventually lifting its veto in April after Kyiv announced repairs to the Druzhba oil pipeline supplying Hungary and Slovakia. Despite later passing the vital loan for Kyiv, Magyar has ruled out Budapest’s backing for Kyiv’s rapid EU accession after his election victory. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.