Hungary Slams Sweden for Spreading Fake News Amidst NATO Bid
(Photo : MICHAL CIZEK/AFP via Getty Images)
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto speaks to journalists as he arrives at the EU Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers (Gymnich) in Prague, Czech Republic on August 30, 2022. Hungary says Sweden must clarify the fake news it has claimed against Budapest over the past years.

Hungary has concerns over Sweden disseminating fake news as its legislature must consider its NATO bid to let it join the bloc. This prompted Budapest to send representatives to thresh this alleged disinformation affecting their relations.

Sweden Must Clarify Fake News About Hungary

If the Swedish and Finnish bids get through, it would depend on Budapest and Ankara, the last two stumbling blocks. Whether Stockholm gets admitted into NATO will depend on the Hungarian parliament, which will argue whether the Nordic country will get ratification or not. Budapest is scheduled to send a group to Stockholm before deciding, reported Euractiv.

Sources say that Swedish officials blatantly disrespect Hungarian lawmakers. They've had enough and want Stockholm to explain its detrimental actions.

Péter Szijjártó, the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that Stockholm spreading disinformation about Budapest is unfounded and untrue. He added this news are lies that should stop, noted CNN.

The topic of Sweden joining NATO should have been dealt with last autumn, mentioned Budapest. It did not materialize due to several factors that prevented it from happening. These reasons are getting EU COVID funds that were more important at that time which prevented the agenda from getting covered by the parliament.

Swedish Orban Oppositionist Publish Comments

According to sources, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán assured that Stockholm and Helsinki's application would be under discussion for ratification by 2023. But the Swedish media posted opinions by socialist Hungarian opposition MP Agnes Vadai asking if Orban was serious about it.

Read Also: Finland Concludes NATO Bid Without Sweden

Vadai spoke to Aftonbladet about the ratification of the two Nordic Countries. She added that Putin and Erdogan have a stake in the decision of Orban in the deciding on the matter. Alleged that the Hungarian leader is partial to Putin, especially about Finland due to the long border that NATO would acquire.

He insists that the decision of Ankara and Budapest are mutually connected, which is also crucial. Due to the affiliations, the Hungarian PM does not give assurance of readiness to signal the applicants to enter NATO. Vadai is not convinced that Orban will relent soon and take a side opposed to Putin.

News that says NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin last Tuesday, as disclosed by Telex. A week from now, Turks, Swedes, and Fins will meet to thresh out concerns about acceptance to NATO.

The NATO officials said that the Two Nordic nations are ready to be accepted with all requirements. He mentioned that if a chance of rejection could happen, then NATO would step in, insinuating that Budapest would decide faster to allow accession.

But Orban last Friday said that most representatives could be more enthusiastic, which shows a hesitance regarding Stockholm's intentions. Remarked that, ironically, both the Finns and Swedes were asking a favor and said that Budapest is undemocratic is something to discuss further.

Hungary says Sweden pushes fake news that deserves an explanation for such misinformation, and its NATO bid might be in the lurch if Budapest is not satisfied.

Related Article: Finland, Sweden NATO Bids Will Take Longer