The EU's Hungary problem won't be solved even if Viktor Orban is ousted

"Reneging on a deal agreed by heads of state and government strikes at the heart of how the EU operates. And there's no appetite for cobbling together an alternative financial plan for Ukraine."

"Hungary, the CSIS thinktank notes, accounts for just 1.1% of the EU's GDP and 2% of its population. But Orban's assault on the rule of law, rejection of rights and values enshrined in the EU treaties and consistent opposition to EU foreign policy have caused the bloc a wholly disproportionate number of headaches."

"Budapest has repeatedly threatened to veto new sanctions against Russia or aid to Ukraine to extort concessions such as unfreezing funds withheld by Brussels over democratic backsliding. It has continued to buy large amounts of Russian oil and gas."

Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, has blocked a planned 90 billion euro EU loan for Ukraine that all 27 member states unanimously agreed to in December. This decision violates a fundamental principle of how the EU operates and infuriates fellow leaders. Hungary, representing only 1.1% of EU GDP and 2% of its population, wields disproportionate power through repeated vetoes. Orban's pattern includes threatening to block sanctions against Russia and aid to Ukraine to extract concessions, while Hungary continues purchasing Russian energy. His assault on rule of law, rejection of EU treaty values, and consistent opposition to EU foreign policy create persistent institutional headaches for the bloc.

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