Shona Murray: EU's failure to rein in Orban could threaten veto of small nations like Ireland

Persistent attempts by Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orban to block EU moves to aid Ukraine have created a renewed momentum to end the veto system — which could have significant consequences for small, responsible member states like Ireland.

Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orban at an EU summit in Brussels earlier this month. Considered Putin’s greatest ally in Europe, Hungary has consistently sought to veto EU policies. Picture: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP

This week should have been characterised by an unwavering display of solidarity and unity by the EU. But any hope of this was shattered when just days before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orban — Putin’s greatest ally in Europe — announced he would block all decisions relating to Ukraine by brandishing his government’s powerful veto.

The announcement meant the EU would return to crisis mode, having been knocked off kilter by one of its own members.