On Feb. 18, a bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators, including Senator Chris Murphy, visited Budapest to address Hungary's obstruction of Sweden's NATO membership. Despite efforts, including meetings with Ambassador David Pressman and speaking to the Hungarian press about the importance of Sweden joining NATO, the delegation faced refusal from Hungary's Cabinet of Ministers for a meeting. This visit aims to encourage Hungary, under the leadership of Viktor Orbán, to lift its block on Sweden's accession, amidst concerns over Hungary's democratic backsliding. Additionally, there are worries in Sweden about the implications of NATO membership, particularly regarding the country's protection by the alliance.
Hungary's Cabinet of Ministers refused to meet with US senators who came to Budapest to discuss Sweden's application for NATO membership - WP A bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators made an official visit to the Hungarian capital on Feb. 18 and called on Viktor Orban's… https://t.co/lB6Ul1st6f
Murphy said Orbán’s government’s refusal to meet was “strange and concerning,” but that the onus was on the long-serving leader to push forward a vote on Sweden’s NATO membership. https://t.co/auCCnJuCRB
Two U.S. senators will submit a bipartisan resolution to Congress condemning democratic backsliding in Hungary and urging its nationalist government to lift its block on Sweden's accession into the NATO military alliance. https://t.co/okulRhX31H
Speaking to the Hungarian press about the importance of bringing Sweden into the the NATO alliance and the worrying slide away from democratic norms here. https://t.co/1PaNFBN2mJ
Wheels down in Budapest. Our bipartisan delegation is here to push for Hungary to stop blocking Sweden’s accession to NATO. First stop is a meeting with our great Ambassador David Pressman. https://t.co/unWFYSLCB4
“Fight for the USA?!” — the Swedes began to suspect something about the consequences of joining NATO Sweden's membership in NATO does not mean that the Swedish people will be protected by the forces of the so-called defensive alliance in the event of an attack on the kingdom's… https://t.co/ZIFaBsjYrj