Orbán's close ties to Putin raise eyebrows
Hungary's increasingly close ties to Russia are causing concern in Brussels, where the country is seen as a "black sheep" of the European Union.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has struck a series of deals with Russia over the years, including major energy contracts and an agreement to expand a key nuclear power plant.
Hungary is still heavily dependent on Russian gas imports. In 2019, Orbán's government helped the Russian-controlled International Investment Bank move its headquarters from Moscow to Budapest, a move that critics warned gave the Kremlin a spy platform in the heart of the EU.
Hungary has repeatedly irritated the Ukrainian government with its rhetoric and actions. Last year, Orbán's government blocked EU sanctions targeting Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, a key ally of Putin and a vocal propagandist of the Russian invasion. In early 2023, Kirill awarded Orbán the Order of Glory and Honor, in recognition of the Hungarian prime minister's commitment to "Christian values."
In a speech to parliament on Monday, Orbán said he was in no hurry to ratify Sweden's accession to NATO. He signalled his desire for the war to end, regardless of the concessions Ukraine would have to make. "Diplomats must take control back from the soldiers, otherwise it will be in vain for women to wait for their sons, fathers and husbands to come home," Orbán said.
A few days earlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó met with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Szijjártó told reporters that Western politicians should follow his example and that the Russians are "ready for peace talks." This is an opinion that is not shared by American and European officials.
On Tuesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said his government is prepared for the war to continue until 2025.
Last month, in an interview with American far-right commentator Tucker Carlson, Viktor Orbán reiterated his hope that current Republican frontrunner Donald Trump will return to power in 2024 - regardless of the criminal proceedings that could block his candidacy. "Trump is the man who can save the Western world," Orbán said.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
