"We are ready for the nuclear option"

"We are still witnessing the violation of basic values," said Danish Minister for European Affairs Marie Bjerre, and added: "That's why we will continue the procedure under Article 7, as well as the hearing on Hungary."

"Nuclear option"

Article 7 is a provision in the EU treaty that allows countries to vote to expel or sanction a member of the Union that violates EU rules.

It is considered the most difficult legal measure, the so-called the "nuclear option", which the EU has not yet implemented despite Brussels' claims that Hungary has broken the law.

Bjerre said the Union should also consider restricting access to EU funds for countries that violate European law.

Another important issue for Denmark, which took over the presidency of the EU Council, is EU enlargement.

The minister also criticized Hungary for the permanent blockade of Ukraine's membership in the European Union, saying that Denmark is ready to consider all political and practical solutions "so that we can move forward".

If EU countries decide to tighten the procedure under Article 7, they could take away Hungary's right to vote on European policy issues such as enlargement, which would deprive Budapest of its ability to veto Ukraine's membership.

However, diplomats warn that such a step would require the decisive support of Paris and Berlin in order to convince the rest of the Union, and that support is currently lacking.