De-Europeanisation after all? The impact of the Russo-Ukrainian war on the level of Europeanisation in Hungary’s national foreign policy during 2018–2024

Abstract

The aim of this research was to study the impact of the Russo-Ukrainian war on the level of de- Europeanisation on Hungarian national foreign policy. The state of Hungary has been under academic watch and one element much analysed is its de-Europeanisation (Hettyey 2020; Müller & Gazsi 2023; Agh 2022; Müller et al. 2025). However, while Hungary frequently clashed with EU foreign policy decisions, there is no academic consensus if Hungary’s national foreign policy has moved towards de-Europeanisation. The effect of the Russo-Ukrainian war is suggested to impact the national foreign policy. In this case, the war could have pushed Hungary to take further actions through foreign policy, which could go underneath the de-Europeanisation process. The research question raised was therefore: what impact did the full-scale Russo-Ukrainian war have on the Europeanisation of Hungarian foreign policy? This study was made with single case analysis using qualitative methods to analyse based on the table of elements of de-Europeanisation in foreign policy by previous studies of Müller et al. (2021:527) and Müller & Gazsi (2023:402). 13 different speeches, statements and press conferences were analysed in two parts: before the fullscale invasion and after. This study found that a war can push a state to strengthen its previous national foreign policy. The level of Europeanization was significantly lower after the outbreak of the full-scale invasion with Hungary's foreign policy showing more visible signs of de- Europeanization. Hungary kept on supporting previous values and norms, but it enhanced going more against the EU norms. Meanwhile, there was a stronger obstructive behaviour towards the common foreign policy process. It stated not to work alongside the CFSP and showed to act obstructively against anything other than policies supporting its own viewpoint. So, an external shock, such as the outbreak of war, can serve as a trigger of de-Europeanization.