US ‘disappointed’ Hungary taking so long to approve Sweden joining Nato

Washington’s ambassador says Budapest is ‘really alone’ and describes its foreign policy as a ‘fantasy’

The US is disappointed Hungary’s ratification of Sweden joining Nato is taking so long, Washington’s ambassador has said, saying that Budapest is “really alone” and that the Hungarian government is pursuing a “foreign fantasy” instead of foreign policy.

After months of delays, Turkey’s parliament approved Sweden’s Nato membership this week. The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, signed it off on Thursday, leaving Hungary as the only country in the 31-member western military alliance that has yet to ratify the Swedish bid.

While the Hungarian government formally supports Sweden’s accession, the country’s parliament has avoided voting on the matter, fuelling frustration among Nato allies and raising questions about the motivations of Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán.

The Hungarian leader routinely criticises his western allies and has been nurturing relationships with Moscow and Beijing.