Hungary’s delay in ratifying Sweden’s NATO bid, which has lasted for over 18 months, appears to be nearing an end as Viktor Orbán’s party has announced a vote on the matter scheduled for Monday. The prolonged delay has strained relations between Budapest and Stockholm, with mounting pressure from NATO allies urging Hungary to move forward with ratification.
The resolution of Hungary’s objections to Sweden’s NATO bid seems to be linked to potential agreements for Hungary to acquire Swedish military equipment. Jens Wenzel, a defense analyst, suggests that Hungary’s delay in ratifying the bid may have been a tactic to pressure Sweden into securing defense equipment deals for Hungary.
The possibility of Hungary acquiring Swedish-built military equipment, such as Gripen fighter jets, has emerged as a key aspect of negotiations between the two countries. Hungary currently leases Gripen jets from Sweden and has expressed interest in expanding its fleet.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson of Sweden has hinted at discussions about the Gripen fighter jet system during his upcoming visit to Budapest. He has emphasized the importance of further developing cooperation between Sweden and Hungary, both politically and economically.
The thaw in Hungary’s objections to Sweden’s NATO accession may also involve broader political and economic cooperation between the two countries. Sámuel Ágoston Mráz, director of a think tank allied with Orbán, suggests that the details of military and economic cooperation will become clearer after the prime ministers’ meeting.
Hungary’s leveraging of its vote on Sweden’s NATO bid to negotiate military equipment deals is reminiscent of Turkey’s similar strategy, which led to the approval of a significant arms sale by the United States.
Critics of Orbán within the European Union have accused him of stalling on Sweden’s NATO bid to extract concessions from the EU. The EU has frozen funds to Hungary over concerns about rule-of-law breaches and democracy standards, further straining relations between Hungary and Sweden.
Orbán’s conservative base in Hungary is reportedly supportive of the government’s reluctance to ratify Sweden’s NATO bid, viewing it as a stance against perceived interference by EU members like Sweden.
Overall, Hungary’s decision to finally vote on Sweden’s NATO bid reflects complex diplomatic negotiations and strategic considerations involving defense cooperation, EU relations, and domestic political dynamics.
