In July 2024 the president of Hungary Victor Orban claimed that “Brussels wants to create peace by supporting war and resents us for our peace mission. What an Orwellian thought! Time is on the side of the pro-peace policy”. Then he stated the article of the European Union treaty, according to which “goal of the European Union is peace”.
Let’s check it out if it is true or false.
The clause 1 of the article 3 of the European Union treaty (The consolidated version of the treaty including the amendments introduced by the treaty of Lisbon signed on 13 December 2007) says, that “The Union’s aim is to promote peace, its values and the well-being of its peoples”.
The clause 5 of the article 3 of the European Union treaty says, that “In its relations with the wider world, the Union shall uphold and promote its values and interests and contribute to the protection of its citizens. It shall contribute to peace, security, the sustainable development of the Earth, solidarity and mutual respect among peoples, free and fair trade, eradication of poverty and the protection of human rights, in particular the rights of the child, as well as to the strict observance and the development of international law, including respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter”.
So, is it legal to use force to promote peace? Let’s see how the international war law regulates that.
According to the United Nations Charter, article 2 clause 4, “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations”.
Both Russia and Ukraine are the members of UN. In 2014 Russia violated this article by invasion of Ukraine.
There is another article – 51, which states, that “Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security”.
So, Ukraine has the legal right to defend herself and the use of force for achieving peace is justified. The EU, ruled by its treaty, has legal basis to aid Ukraine by supporting Ukraine in its struggle against the aggressor.
Conclusion: The claim of Victor Orban is based on the distortion of facts and manipulation of the articles of international treaties and laws.