Germany’s Threats to Hungary and Slovakia Expose the EU’s Globalist Authoritarian Drift, Say Fico and Orbán

| Published May 29, 2025

Hungary and Slovakia Push Back Against EU Pressure Over Ukraine and Rule-of-Law Disputes

Tensions within the European Union have escalated as Hungary and Slovakia confront mounting pressure from Brussels and Berlin over their stances on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and internal governance reforms. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently suggested that EU funds could be withheld from member states that deviate from the bloc’s consensus, particularly concerning support for Ukraine.

At the WDR Europaforum, Chancellor Merz emphasized the necessity for EU unity, stating that member states violating the rule of law might face infringement procedures and potential withdrawal of European funds

Chancellor Merz on Slovakia and Hungary 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/wnp5WmRqQT

— Pindo 🇪🇺 (@POTFES) May 27, 2025

The real crime, however, is in the eyes of the EU elite. Hungary and Slovakia refuse to buy into the fantasy that the endless flow of weapons to Kyiv will somehow bring peace. Instead, both nations have called for diplomacy and a negotiated settlement—a position much more in line with US President Donald Trump’s America First vision than with the war-hungry dogma of globalist-infested Brussels and Berlin.

In response, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico have criticized what they perceive as coercive tactics by the EU. Orbán has consistently opposed EU sanctions on Russia, arguing they harm European economies more than they affect the Kremlin. Hungary continues to import Russian energy and has blocked EU declarations supporting Ukraine’s EU membership.

Prime Minister Fico, since returning to power in 2023, has ceased weapons shipments to Ukraine and advocated for renewed diplomatic relations with Moscow. He condemned Chancellor Merz’s remarks as “absolutely unacceptable in modern Europe,” asserting that Slovakia should not be treated as a subordinate state.

SLOVAKIA IS NOT A LITTLE SCHOOLCHILD THAT NEEDS TO BE LECTURED
Slovakia’s sovereign positions do not stem from vanity, but are based on our national interests.
The politics of a single mandatory opinion is a denial of sovereignty and democracy.
When you hear such aggressive… pic.twitter.com/xr1WexRZny

— Robert Fico 🇸🇰 (@RobertFicoSVK) May 27, 2025

Beyond foreign policy disagreements, both Hungary and Slovakia face scrutiny over domestic reforms. Hungary’s recent legislation potentially banning LGBTQ+ Pride events has drawn criticism from at least 20 EU member states, which argue that the law violates fundamental EU values. Additionally, Hungary’s proposed “Sovereignty Protection Act” has raised concerns about press freedom and civil society.

In Slovakia, the abolition of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, responsible for high-profile corruption cases, has prompted the European Commission to consider freezing portions of the €12.8 billion in cohesion funds allocated to the country. The Commission is also reviewing the possibility of reclaiming €2.7 billion in COVID-19 relief funds.

These developments underscore a growing rift within the EU, as Hungary and Slovakia assert their national sovereignty and challenge the bloc’s collective policies on foreign affairs and internal governance.

The situation involving Germany’s threats to cut EU funds to Hungary and Slovakia carries several key implications, both for the EU as a political bloc and for the member states involved:

1. Strain on EU Unity

Germany’s pressure tactics — particularly Chancellor Merz’s suggestion of withholding EU funds — highlight a deepening ideological divide within the EU. Countries like Hungary and Slovakia are asserting their national sovereignty over what they see as Brussels’ overreach, which could fuel Euroscepticism and fragmentation within the Union.

2. Shift in EU Power Dynamics

By challenging EU orthodoxy on Ukraine and internal democratic reforms, Orbán and Fico signal that smaller member states won’t be easily dictated to by Brussels or Berlin. If these challenges become more common, it could weaken the authority of EU leadership, especially on foreign policy and values enforcement.

3. Funding Leverage and Political Risk

Using EU funds as leverage introduces a precedent: financial tools can become political weapons. While effective in the short term, it may erode trust and provoke retaliatory measures or increased obstructionism from targeted governments in EU decision-making processes.

4. Broader Populist Momentum

Hungary and Slovakia’s defiance may embolden other nationalist or populist leaders in Europe to adopt similar postures — for instance, challenging EU mandates on migration, energy, or social policy — potentially leading to a bloc within the bloc.

5. Impact on Ukraine Support

Both countries’ opposition to arms shipments and resistance to Ukraine’s EU path may undermine the EU’s unified stance against Russia, which could weaken sanctions enforcement, prolong the war, and complicate NATO-EU coordination.

Overall Takeaway:

The escalating tensions between Germany and EU member states Hungary and Slovakia signal a deeper fracture within the European Union — one between centralized authority in Brussels and nations asserting their sovereignty. As Hungary and Slovakia push back against pressure to conform on Ukraine policy and internal reforms, the EU’s cohesion is being tested. Using financial leverage to enforce political conformity risks alienating member states and fueling nationalist resistance, potentially weakening the EU’s unity, credibility, and ability to act decisively on global issues like the Ukraine war.

SOURCES: THE GATEWAY PUNDIT – Germany’s Threats to Hungary and Slovakia Expose the EU’s Globalist Authoritarian Drift, Say Fico and Orbán

BLOOMBERG – Germany’s Merz Floats Cutting Off EU Funds to Fico’s Slovakia

EU TODAY – Slovakia Risks Billions in EU Funds Amid Democratic Backsliding Under Fico

LUXEMBOURG TIMES – EU weighs blocking Slovakia funds for democratic backsliding