Hungary Misses EU Deadline to Address Security Concerns Over Eased Entry Rules for Russians and Belarusians

Budapest has failed to meet the deadline set by the European Union to respond to concerns raised by several EU countries regarding potential security threats stemming from Hungary's decision to relax entry rules for nationals of Russia and

Belarus. The deadline for Hungary’s response expired on Monday, August 19.

Earlier this month, the European Commission issued a letter to Hungarian authorities, seeking clarification on their decision to ease visa rules for Russians and Belarusians by allowing them to obtain Hungary’s National Card. This card facilitates residency in Hungary without requiring special or high qualifications.

Initially, the National Card was available only to nationals of Ukraine and Serbia, but it has recently been extended to include other countries, notably Russia and Belarus. This expansion has sparked significant controversy across Europe, with eight Schengen countries expressing their concerns to the European Union about the potential security risks associated with Hungary’s new policy.

In their letter to European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, the leaders of the Nordic and Baltic states warned that Hungary’s decision "may constitute a serious security risk." The letter was signed by the Interior, Justice, and Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway, and Sweden. They emphasized the importance of Hungary’s response, stating, “Hungary’s response, your analysis, and the next steps are extremely important in ensuring our national security. In order to assess the security risk, we would be grateful for any additional information that the Commission would share after receiving the requested information from the Hungarian authorities.”

Despite the urgency of the situation, Hungarian authorities have not officially responded to the European Commission’s inquiries by the August 19 deadline. The matter is expected to be a key topic of discussion at the upcoming EU foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled for August 28.

Hungary’s decision to ease entry rules for Russians and Belarusians has also prompted action from members of the European Parliament. A total of 67 MEPs have sent a letter to European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging the imposition of stricter measures against Hungary. Furthermore, Tytti Tuppurainen, a Member of the Finnish Parliament and leader of the Social Democratic Parliamentary Group, has called for Hungary’s exclusion from the Schengen Zone due to the perceived risks associated with this policy.

By fLEXI tEAM