US lawmakers want pressure on Hungary to back Sweden's NATO membership

FILE PHOTO: Swedish and NATO flags are seen printed on paper this illustration taken April 13, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senior U.S. lawmakers said they wanted Hungary to immediately approve Sweden's accession to NATO, suggesting on Thursday, a week after Turkey's approval, that Budapest risks permanent damage to its relationship with Washington if it does not act.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ben Cardin said he had "deep concerns" over the direction of Hungary's current government. The Democratic lawmaker noted Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's delay, until today, of European Union assistance for Ukraine, as well as its continuing obstruction of Sweden's NATO membership.