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On Tuesday, an opinion piece was published on CNN, stating that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbn and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoan are both allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The author suggests, therefore, that Hungary and Turkey should be made irrelevant.

The article calls Orbn Putins closest ally in the European Union, mentioning that he has threatened to veto proposed sanctions on Russian oil that the other 26 member states have approved. Drawing parallels between the EU and NATO, the article continues: Similarly in NATO, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan isnot looking favorably at the possible accession of historically neutral powers Finland and Sweden, and on which the rest of the alliance is supportive of them joining.

CNN writes that thanks to such allies:

The op-ed also mentioned European Commission President Ursula von der Leyens visit to Budapest, on which we have also reported. It says that von der Leyen could report only that shed succeeded in clarify[ing] issues with the Hungarian strongman.

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The article says that the solution to these toxic delays being forced by Hungary and Turkey is to do crave-outs:

Whats the worst Hungary or Turkey could do sue? Pull out?

Harvard Professor Robert I. Rotberg seems to agree with the idea: You are absolutely right to urge the EU to just forge ahead without Hungary. The unanimity rule was foolish to begin with and now is the time to test it. He adds, however, that Hungary could refer the decision to the European Court of Justice which is both bad and good.

As Index reports, another reading of the oil embargo issue is that Brussels made the decision on the embargo hastily, without due preparation, and neglecting practical economic considerations, which proved that the vetos control of Brussels decision-making by member states was justified. (A former MEP wrote an opinion piece on this on Index).

CNN also mentions the creation of an International Anti-Corruption Court. Rotberg believes that this would be a good place to try Erdoan, Orbn, Putin, and many more. That is why it is needed. So, we are moving. Such a court is being actively pursued by Rotberg together with a group consisting of some 40 former heads of state and an equal number of Nobel Prize winners, CNN writes. The article also mentions that Putin has been playing on the concept of unanimity for years.

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Now is the time for democracies to dig in their heels and proclaim that enough is enough that right will be forced to triumph. In the end, we will all be stronger for it, the article concludes.

The CNN op-ed was written by David A. Andelman, a veteran foreign correspondent, author, and commentator who contributes frequently to CNN Opinion on global affairs. To read the full article, click here.

Featured image via Zsolt Szigetvry/MTI

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CNN: Erdoan and Orbn Are Putin's Allies, They Have to Be Made "Irrelevant" - Hungary Today