Sweden reacts to Orbán's trip to visit Putin in Moscow

Sweden will for the time being not send any ministers to meetings in Hungary in reaction to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's recent visit to Russia without consultation with other EU member states.

Hungary's actions had been harmful, and there had to be consequences, Swedish EU Affairs Minister Jessika Roswall said. Roswall is set to become the country's European commissioner.

Sweden will participate in meetings in Hungary during July only at civil servant level as Hungary takes up the six-month presidency of the European Union.

Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Poland are also intending to react to Orbán's actions in a similar way, according to Roswall. Discussions are proceeding in other countries.

Orbán travelled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, without consultation with Brussels. The visit drew criticism from other EU leaders.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson described the visit at the time as "irresponsible and disloyal." During the NATO summit in Washington this week he accused Orbán of misusing the EU presidency for his own purposes.

Hungary's presidency of the bloc means that a series of informal ministerial meetings should take place in Budapest, with ministers from the member states gathering. The meetings now appear set to occur at a lower level.