Sweden’s request to join NATO may be ratified when Hungary’s parliament resumes its regular session, the ruling Fidesz parliamentary group announced today.adding that he first expects the visit of the Swedish prime minister to Budapest.

This means that Fidesz MPs are unlikely to attend an emergency session of parliament today, which the opposition has called for a vote on Sweden’s request to join NATO, and that its ratification will be further delayed.

Parliament will resume its sessions after its winter recess at the end of February.

Hungary is the only NATO member country which has yet to ratify Stockholm’s request to join the body, a process that requires the support of all member countries, straining relations with the US and raising concerns among its allies.

“If this is an important issue for the Swedes, then obviously the Swedish prime minister will come to Budapest,” Fidesz said in an email sent today in response to questions from Reuters.

The office of the Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Christerson and the country’s foreign minister have not yet responded to requests for comment on the news.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó said late Friday that it would be “fair” for Christerson to visit Budapest before ratification, as the Swedish leader also went to Turkey before ratification by the Turkish parliament.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has better ties to Russia than to other EU states and most NATO members, says his government supports Sweden’s membership in the organization. However, the relevant bill has not advanced in parliament since mid-2022.

“Prime Minister Orbán has promised that Hungary will act ‘at the earliest possible opportunity’. Monday’s meeting offers an opportunity to do so,” the US embassy said in a statement on Friday.