U.S. 'Disappointed' By Hungary's Policy On Ukraine, Urges Ratification Of Sweden's NATO Bid

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (file photo)

The United States is "disappointed" by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Ukraine policy and looks forward to Budapest fulfilling its promise not to be the last to ratify Sweden's NATO accession, a senior U.S. State Department official said on January 11. Jim O'Brien, assistant secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, expressed disappointment that Orban “has chosen to stand alone in the European Union in questioning the fight to support Ukrainians." Hungary, a member of the European Union and NATO, has refused to provide military assistance to Ukraine and together with Turkey has held up Sweden's bid to join NATO.