EU Summit: Disagreements on Hungary and Russia reveal rifts in the EU | DW News

EU leaders agreed Friday to plan for sanctions against Russia, but rejected a push for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. At the EU summit in Brussels, France and Germany had called for direct talks with Putin. The proposal came after US President Joe Biden held his own meeting with Putin in Geneva, Switzerland, last week. However, EU leaders failed to reach an agreement on such a summit. In a statement, they said that "they will explore format and conditionalities of dialogue with Russia" but did not mention a summit. The statement also called on EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell "to present options for additional restrictive measures, including sanctions" against Russia.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government came under fire over legislation that banned LGBTQ content from being handed out in schools. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen this week branded the bill "a shame" that contradicts the fundamental values of the European Union and threatened to take Hungary to court. Merkel said the EU leaders and Orban had a "very, very frank discussion." Leaders from 17 EU countries on Thursday signed a letter slamming "threats against fundamental rights, and in particular the principle of non-discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation." The issue has been front and center of European politics this week after UEFA, Europe's football governing body, rejected a plan by Munich to light up its stadium in rainbow colors for a Germany-Hungary match on Wednesday.

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[sisimoto]

Bold statement??! The dutch pm literally stated that Hungary must kneel!! Hungary means the whole country! It means that the whole nation must OBEY!! Obeying its not for Hungarians! Its against our cultural heritage! A diplomat, or politician of a country stating simmilar manner to another country, as a whole nation MUST OBEY, its not bold statement, its casus belli….

[perryblanco]

The EU cannot accept the fact that we can never be totally the same. If Hungary thinks it is not right to talk about LGBTQ to school children, so be it. I don't see why it is discrimination; on the other hand it is empowering parents to choose what is best for their children.

Meanwhile, the Baltic states and Poland, all lesser countries who are at the receiving end, are now a liability and a threat to the Union.

A fractious EU + France & Germany warming up to Russia = Happy Vlad.

[themilosgrozni]

" a democratic european union " ...is demanding absolute obedience to fight against authoritarianism.
so only if EVERY SINGLE STATE ( WILLINGLY OR UNWILLINGLY ) OBAY without asking questions....only in that case EU can stay democratic and free

[bosna]

I support Hungary free choice of its destiny!

[danielvonliechtenstein]

Since when are gay rights EU values?
If we have a public referendum across the EU, most will probably favour Hungary decision.

On the Russian issue, France and Deutschland should have a summit with Russia.

[sengleekoay]

Victor has better morals....he acted and eu members cannot accept what he does for the betterment of his country. I support Victor.

[morvaitube]

Why do you force your ideas on countries with a healthy set of values and sexual education? Diversity and tolerance means also to acccept that other countries have a different value judgement. And by the way: there is life outside of the EU. The UK is a good example. I hope Hungary will have the guts to leave the sinking Titanic of the EU before is too late.

[hildaelson]

All the better for Hungary. I won’t comment on the law itself. I believe that’s for a nation to determine its own law but the right to legal autonomy shouldn’t be stripped away just because one joined an exclusive club of bullies. So glad the UK got out off it.

[cbcluckyii]

Lithuania and Canada have a lot in common. One being that we are both irrelevant.

[finestfresh]

support Hungarian brothers from Indonesia

[frozenticket]

Respect to Orban and Hungary.Greatings from Belgrade.

[petersalamon]

Respect to Viktor Orbán. Usa’s leadership could take an example from Orban.

[pragueexpat]

They cry about rainbows and yet wants to meet with Putin?..

[kabzaify]

The EU giving pre conditions to Russia, what a joke

[aeonhelendale]

I’m knob gobbling homosexual and agree, none of any sexual lifestyle or habits should be exposed to children. Way to go Hungary I hope more follow.

[kenllacer]

Hungary has been at the forefront of Mongol and Ottoman invasions for centuries, they can handle a few lover boys from Netherlands.

[stevemicheudedubois.]

Well done Hungary 🇭🇺 stand your ground and don't give in the eu bullies and tyrants. In fact just leave the eu, like we did. 🇬🇧👍

[kevinisenzo]

Me before hearing what Hungary did: Why would they do such a thing?!
Me after hearing what Hungary did: That actually makes a lot of sense ❤🇭🇺

[smartentertainment]

The time has come European union must need to be disintegrated

[samhu]

What the dutch prime minister said really just translate how he views the eu as a club of highly developed rich liberal European countries. Especially if it would break for issues such as this. And in fact if they pressure Hungary to change their own laws then is Hungary any independent anymorr.