Mar 10 • 12:01 UTC 🇱🇹 Lithuania Lrytas

EU unanimity – an obstacle to decisions on Ukraine, but a good thing for small members

The article discusses challenges posed by the requirement for unanimous agreement within the EU regarding decisions on Ukraine, highlighting Hungary's strategic use of its veto power.

The article addresses the complexities of achieving unanimous decisions within the European Union, particularly in relation to policy-making about Ukraine. There is ongoing discussion in Brussels about whether alternative mechanisms could be implemented to bypass the need for unanimity, potentially shifting decision-making to frameworks that do not require all member state approvals. However, the pursuit of such methods raises significant political and legal questions about undermining the unity of the EU and the precedential risks for future crises.

Europarliament member Virginijus Sinkevičius remarks that the options for circumventing the veto are quite limited, and Hungary is capitalizing on this reality by strategically using its power to influence the EU’s stance. In his statement on the Žinių radijo program "Gyvenu Europoje," he explained that current treaties necessitate the agreement of all member states for foreign affairs matters, which grants Hungary considerable leverage, especially in regard to sanctions packages concerning Ukraine.

The article warns that Hungary's ability to exert pressure on the EU highlights vulnerabilities within the collective decision-making process, suggesting a delicate balance between maintaining unity and accommodating the sometimes divergent interests of smaller member states. The implications of this dynamic could affect how the EU navigates not only current tensions with Russia but also its broader foreign policy objectives in the region.

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