In a recent development, European Council President Charles Michel has expressed his disapproval of Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán's self-declared "peace missions" to several countries, including Kyiv, Moscow, Beijing, and Washington. Michel, in a letter addressed to Orbán and seen by POLITICO, stated that Hungary's role as the rotating Presidency of the Council does not grant them the authority to represent the European Union on an international level, as no European Council mandate was given for such engagements.

Michel highlighted that he had already made it clear to Orbán prior to his visit to Moscow, a sentiment that was reiterated by High Representative Josep Borrell in a statement on July 5th. Orbán's note to Michel, which included conclusions and suggestions based on his "peace missions," referenced his visit to Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Dated July 12th and viewed by Paul Ronzheimer of Axel Springer, POLITICO's parent company, Orbán warned that if Trump were to win the election, the EU's financial burden of supporting Ukraine would potentially increase to its disadvantage, without elaborating on the details of Trump's plans.

Responding to Orbán's note, Michel reiterated the European Union's unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine and its people, and rejected Orbán's claim that the EU had a "pro-war policy." Michel firmly stated, "Russia is the aggressor, and Ukraine is the victim exercising its legitimate right to self-defense."

This criticism from Michel comes at a time when Hungary's handling of the Council presidency is being countered. On Tuesday, several countries chose not to send senior ministers to a Hungarian-hosted gathering of energy officials in Budapest, with at least four nations citing it as a form of protest. This happened just hours after the European Commission instructed its top officials to refrain from attending similar meetings.

The exchange between Michel and Orbán sheds light on the challenges faced by the EU when it comes to maintaining a united front and speaking with one voice on the international stage. As the rotating Presidency of the Council, Hungary's actions have been questioned, emphasizing the need for coordination and adherence to established protocols to ensure effective representation and decision-making within the European Union.