Hungary Pledges to Approve Sweden's NATO Bid in February Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Hungary, the final NATO member yet to endorse Sweden's entry into the world’s largest military alliance, has signaled readiness to greenlight the Nordic nation's bid this month. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, in a state-of-the-nation address in Budapest, hinted at a resolution to the standoff, marking a potential end to months of diplomatic deadlock.

"Our disagreements with Sweden are nearing resolution," Orbán declared, highlighting efforts to mend fences with Stockholm. "In collaboration with the Swedish Prime Minister, we've taken substantial steps towards rebuilding trust. It's our expectation that, with the commencement of Parliament's spring session on February 26, we'll proceed to ratify Sweden's NATO membership."
This announcement comes against the backdrop of a refused meeting between Hungarian officials and a bipartisan delegation of American senators advocating for NATO's expansion. The refusal underscores the complex web of diplomatic engagements and the nuanced stance Hungary has adopted amidst geopolitical pressures.
Hungary's Parliament is slated to reconvene for its spring session on February 26, setting the stage for a pivotal vote that could see Sweden join the ranks of the world’s largest military alliance. This move is eagerly anticipated, given that Sweden, alongside Finland, sought NATO membership in May 2022 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While Finland has since become a NATO member, doubling the alliance's border with Russia, Sweden's bid has encountered obstacles.
Historically, Orbán's Fidesz party has voiced reservations, demanding Sweden address certain concerns to facilitate the vote on accession. Relations have been strained, with Fidesz criticizing Swedish officials for their remarks about Hungarian politics. However, Orbán's January assurance to NATO's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg marked a significant shift towards supporting Sweden's bid, despite earlier hesitations and accusations of Orbán's proximity to Russian interests influencing his stance.
The path to ratification has not been without its diplomatic nuances. Hungarian officials have intimated that a parliamentary vote hinges on a bilateral meeting between the Swedish Prime Minister and Orbán in Budapest—a proposition met with skepticism from Sweden. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom emphasized the non-negotiable nature of Sweden's accession, reflecting a firm stance against any conditional ratification. “There is nothing to negotiate, if there is a visit, it’s not going to be a negotiation, that has been made very clear by my prime minister,” the Swedish foreign minister said earlier this week.
The reluctance of Hungarian authorities to engage with visiting American senators, including prominent figures like Senator Chris Murphy and co-chair of the Senate’s NATO Observer Group Senator Jeanne Shaheen, has raised eyebrows and drawn criticism. Senator Chris Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut, described the Hungarian government’s decline to meet as “strange and concerning.” The senators' mission to advocate for NATO's expansion met with silence from Hungary's political leadership, prompting vows to push for a resolution within the U.S. Senate to urge Hungary to expedite Sweden's accession and address concerns over democratic practices under Orbán's administration.
As Hungary prepares to potentially approve Sweden's NATO membership, the international community watches closely. This decision not only impacts European security dynamics but also tests the resilience and unity of transatlantic alliances in facing global challenges.