Sweden declines Orbán’s push for NATO negotiations

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström on Tuesday rejected Hungary's call to negotiate about his country's bid to join NATO.

"I see no reason to negotiate at this point," Billström said, responding to a request made by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. "What we hope, of course, is that Hungary will ratify membership as soon as possible."

In a letter sent Tuesday to his Swedish counterpart Ulf Krissterson and obtained by POLITICO, Orbán called for a meeting and stressed the need for "strong mutual trust ... between Sweden and Hungary."

Budapest has bridled at Stockholm's criticism of its backsliding on the EU's democratic principles.

Orbán continued: "I invite you to visit Hungary at your earliest convenience to exchange views on all issues of common interest, including our complex bilateral relations, our future cooperation in the field of security and defence as allies and partners, and Hungary's approaching presidency of the Council of the European Union."

Billström pointed out that the "good" tone of the letter was different from Orbán's tweet, which read: "Today I sent an invitation letter to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson ... for a visit to Hungary to negotiate on Sweden’s NATO accession."

"You have to remember that the letter is one thing, and what is written on X is another," the Swedish minister said. "We welcome a constructive conversation."

Orbán's sudden proposal for negotiations comes as Turkey's parliament is poised to ratify Sweden's bid this week, leaving Hungary as the last NATO country stalling on Stockholm's application.