Hungary has blocked a joint EU statement on a warrant from the International Criminal Court in The Hague for the arrest of Vladimir Putin. It is reported by Bloomberg, citing sources.
Because of the Budapest veto, the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, issued a statement in his own name: "The EU views the ICC decision as the beginning of a process of accountability and holding Russian leaders to account."
On the morning of March 20, a statement in support of the court's decision was published by the Ministers of Justice of the EU countries, Hungary refused to sign the document.
Budapest's position is likely to be voiced when EU leaders meet for a summit in Brussels this week. The draft findings, seen by Bloomberg, now say the board of leaders “takes note of the recent arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for the Russian president and children’s ombudsman for the illegal deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children from the occupied territories of Ukraine to Russia.”
Similar language was used in Borrell's statement. According to agency sources, the leaders of some European states are likely to seek the use of harsher language.
Hungary takes a pro-Russian position, in particular, refuses to supply weapons and ammunition to Ukraine.