US senators warn Hungary: Approve Sweden's NATO bid or risk damaging relations
US lawmakers are pressuring Hungary to approve Sweden's membership in NATO, warning of strained ties with Washington if they decline, Reuters has reported.
Senator Ben Cardin, head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed "deep concerns" about Hungary's stance, saying, "Partners don't do this." He even questioned Hungary's reliability as a visa waiver program ally, which allows visa-free travel for Hungarians to the US, according to U.S. News.
His concerns were echoed by Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis, who stated, “The U.S. Senate NATO Observer Group calls on Prime Minister Viktor Orban to advance Sweden’s accession protocols to NATO without further delay.”
Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO in 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While Turkey recently lifted its objections, Hungary remains the sole holdout.
Hungary's parliament will convene in a special session on February 5th, but whether a vote on Sweden's membership will occur is uncertain.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
