“No one should negotiate with Putin”

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Ukraine gets support, Hungary gets criticism in first decision by new EU parliament.

Viktor Orban only gets support from the far right.

The statement, which was voted on Wednesday by a large majority: 495 yes votes, 137 no votes, 47 abstentions, said the EU must continue its support for Ukraine “for as long as it takes”.

The resolution calls for continued sanctions against Russia, Belarus and Ukraine’s future NATO membership. In addition, it condemns the recent Russian attack on a children’s hospital in Kyiv and the “peace trip” made by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to Moscow in early July.

“No one should negotiate with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin,” Polish conservative Andrzej Halecki said in the debate before the vote.

The decision is a clear signal that the EU Parliament still has a clear pro-Ukrainian majority, despite the growing strength of far-right and pro-Russian groups.

The minority still praises Orban.

“We cannot accuse Hungary, a key country in the transatlantic alliance, of being a negative influence when it tries to open discussions,” said Jordan Bardella of the French National Assembly.

“I am grateful that Mr Orban is taking responsibility,” said René Aust of the German Development Agency.