(MENAFN) A rift within the Bucharest Nine, a coalition of Eastern European and Baltic NATO member states, threatens to escalate as Hungary faces the prospect of expulsion for its dissenting stance on the Ukraine crisis, reports the Financial Times, citing informed sources. The group, formed in 2015, comprises Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, aiming to coordinate foreign and security policies among its members.

The imminent gathering of the Bucharest Nine's leaders in Riga on Tuesday looms under the shadow of Hungary's divergent position regarding Ukraine. Sources suggest that Hungary's refusal to endorse collective statements in support of providing military aid to Ukraine and backing Kiev in its standoff with Moscow has intensified calls for its exclusion from the alliance. The discussions within the group are described as "very serious," hinting at the gravity of the situation.

Originating from nations once part of the Warsaw Pact or Soviet republics, all members of the Bucharest Nine transitioned to NATO during its post-USSR expansion. However, Hungary's stance on the Ukraine conflict starkly contrasts with that of its counterparts. Budapest's opposition to further arming Ukraine, citing concerns about prolonging hostilities, and its advocacy for immediate peace negotiations present a stark departure from the consensus among other member states.

Furthermore, Hungary's skepticism towards Western assurances regarding Ukraine's eventual accession to NATO and the European Union has fueled accusations of being "pro-Russian" by supporters of Kiev. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has defended Hungary's position, asserting that it is guided by national interests rather than alignment with Moscow. Nevertheless, this dissent places Hungary at odds with the prevailing sentiment within the Bucharest Nine, potentially jeopardizing its continued membership in the alliance.

As the Eastern NATO coalition grapples with internal discord over fundamental foreign policy divergences, the looming decision regarding Hungary's status underscores the growing tensions within the alliance. The outcome of this pivotal moment could not only shape the trajectory of the Bucharest Nine but also reverberate across the broader geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe and NATO's strategic calculus in the region.

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