U.S. Senators Urge Hungary to Approve Sweden's NATO Bid, Condemn Democratic Backsliding
• A group of U.S. senators visited Hungary and urged its government to approve Sweden's request to join NATO. Hungary is the only NATO member that has not yet ratified Sweden's bid.
• The senators said they will submit a resolution to Congress condemning Hungary's "democratic backsliding" and urging it to approve Sweden's NATO accession.
• Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has said his party remains unconvinced about approving Sweden's bid but recently indicated Hungary's parliament may vote on it soon.
• The resolution notes Hungary's failure to fulfill its commitment not to be the last NATO ally to approve Sweden's membership, jeopardizing trans-Atlantic security.
• Orbán has drawn criticism for his increasingly close ties with Russia and China and for resisting EU sanctions against Russia.