Andrew Rettman, writing for the EUObserver, a favored outlet among Eurocrats, has urged the European Union to escalate its efforts to pressure Hungary and Slovakia for their sovereigntist stances. He demands they submit to EU leadership, specifically targeting their resistance to new sanctions against Russia.
At the EU summit on June 26, 2025, a vote to adopt an 18th sanctions package targeting Russia’s energy sector, critical to Hungary and Slovakia’s economies, failed due to vetoes by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Their opposition stems from concerns over energy security, with Fico citing potential €20 billion lawsuits from Gazprom if Slovakia terminates its long-term gas contract. Both nations have historically relied on Russian gas, making the proposed sanctions a direct threat to their citizens’ economic stability.
In a now-deleted article published on June 30, 2025, Rettman labeled Fico and Orbán as “Kremlin shills” for blocking the EU sanctions proposals. Notably, both leaders supported extending all 17 prior sanction packages, yet their caution on new measures drew his ire.
Rettman’s rhetoric has included calls for aggressive EU retaliation, suggesting frozen funds, legal proceedings, audits, public shaming, and boycotts to force compliance. Rettman, frothing at the mouth, declared, “If these two little traitors want a war with the EU—let’s give them one.” His inflammatory rhetoric casts Hungary and Slovakia’s leaders as betrayers, escalating tensions rather than fostering dialogue.
In a previous, calmer write-up, Rettman outlined legal strategies for the EU to override Hungary and Slovakia’s vetoes on Ukraine-related agendas. He advocates weaponizing EU law to sideline these nations, ignoring their legitimate concerns about economic stability.
Viktor Orbán has consistently vetoed sanctions that could harm Hungary’s economy, especially as the EU withholds €22 billion in cohesion funds over Hungary’s restrictions on LGBT education. With new sanctions looming in July, fears grow that Hungary or Slovakia’s veto could stall EU plans.
To bypass Orbán’s vetoes, EU states have turned to trade laws passed by qualified majority voting, which overrides unanimous consent. Rettman even proposes voting on Russian energy limits, despite treaty rules requiring veto power, betting Hungary’s reliance on Russian gas will weaken its legal challenge.
Shockingly, Rettman suggests undermining the Schengen Treaty’s guarantee of free movement by excluding Hungarians and Slovaks as punishment. Such a move would betray a core EU principle to target leaders prioritizing national interests.
In a rare pragmatic moment, Rettman proposes a deal: unfreeze Hungary’s EU funds in exchange for Orbán’s absence during a sanctions vote. This coercive tactic aims to save face for Orbán while securing EU goals.
Rettman’s proposals ignore the severe energy cost burdens already facing Central and Eastern Europe. Cutting Russian gas would devastate ordinary citizens, punishing nations for prioritizing their people over supranational agendas.
