A new course for Budapest: Hungary is abandoning its policy of blackmail in the EU

“Hungary too often became an obstacle in the European decision-making process. We used the veto right not as a last resort, but for political PR. My country will no longer use the veto right as an instrument of blackmail”, - future Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban said in a comment to Bloomberg, as reported by European Pravda.

This resonant statement came amid a large-scale political renewal in Hungary. After Peter Magyar officially became prime minister on May 9, the country began rapidly dismantling its previous foreign policy strategy. A symbolic step was the return of the European Union flag to the Hungarian parliament building, signaling Budapest’s intention to restore the damaged trust of its EU and NATO partners.

The new head of the diplomatic department acknowledged that the previous tactic of blocking important European initiatives had been counterproductive. Instead of aggressively using the veto, Hungary plans to return to a format of constructive dialogue. The main goal is to pull the country out of isolation and stop the perception of Budapest as an “internal opponent” of the European community.

Despite the change in tone, the approach to relations with Kyiv will remain cautious. Hungary is ready to support Ukraine’s European path, but will do so exclusively with regard to its “strict national interest”.

The issue of expanding the rights of the Hungarian minority in Zakarpattia remains on the agenda and will be a key condition for further support.

The change of government in Hungary and the statements by Anita Orban raise hopes for the unblocking of many strategic decisions in Brussels that had previously been stalled for months due to the position of official Budapest. The world is closely watching whether these words will mark the beginning of a real “thaw” in Hungary’s relations with the West.