The European Commission -- the European Union's executive body -- says it will not send its commissioners to informal ministerial meetings to be held in Hungary. The move is apparently aimed at countering Hungary's self-declared "peace mission" over Ukraine.
Hungary currently holds the rotating EU presidency.
The Commission said on Monday that it will send senior civil servant-level officials to the informal ministerial meetings, effectively downgrading the rank of its participants.
Hungary reacted sharply to the decision, asking, "Are all Commission decisions now based on political considerations?"
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is known for his pro-Russian stance and has repeatedly criticized the EU's assistance for Ukraine.
Orban visited Russia and China earlier this month. He said the visits were part of efforts to push for peace between Russia and Ukraine.
EU leaders have criticized the move. European Council President Charles Michel wrote on social media, "The EU rotating presidency has no mandate to engage with Russia on behalf of the EU."
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has also posted on X that it is "irresponsible and disloyal" to use Hungary's EU presidency to visit Moscow.
Observers say the rift between Hungary and other EU members may further widen with the latest decision by the Commission.