In a stark deviation from his initial anti-Russian stance, Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s Prime Minister, has increasingly aligned himself with Vladimir Putin, posing a severe threat to European security and democratic values. Orbán’s transformation began in 2009 when, as an opposition leader, he met Putin at a United Russia party congress in St. Petersburg. This encounter marked a significant shift towards a pro-Russian stance, leading to Hungary’s “Eastern Opening” policy in 2010, aimed at strengthening economic ties with Russia and China.
This shift in foreign policy direction became evident in 2014 when Hungary signed a €12.5 billion deal with Russia for the construction of the Paks 2 nuclear power plant, financed largely by Russian loans. This agreement deepened Hungary’s financial and energy dependence on Russia, compromising its sovereignty and exposing it to Russian influence. Orbán’s welcome of Putin to Budapest in 2015, even as Ukrainian soldiers fought Russian-backed forces, starkly contrasted with the EU-wide consensus to freeze bilateral talks with Russia, highlighting Hungary’s divergent stance.
The establishment of the International Investment Bank, controlled by the Russian government, in Budapest in 2019, further cemented Russian influence in Hungary. This institution enjoys full diplomatic immunity in Budapest, allowing unrestricted movement within the Schengen area, a clear threat to European security.
Orbán’s so-called “peace mission” to Moscow in early 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, saw Hungary increase its pro-Russian stance. Orbán criticised the EU’s strategy for Ukraine, calling it a failure both militarily and politically, aligning Hungary with Kremlin narratives. In 2022, the Fidesz-aligned news site Voice of Europe was exposed for spreading pro-Russian propaganda, even paying European politicians to influence public opinion.
Despite other EU countries reducing staff at Russian embassies, Hungary increased its numbers in 2022, indicating a stark divergence from its EU counterparts. The Hungarian state media played a crucial role in spreading Kremlin misinformation to justify Russia’s actions in Ukraine, blaming the U.S., the EU, and NATO for the conflict, and undermining international support for Ukraine.
Orbán’s government blocked significant EU sanctions against Russia throughout 2022, advocating for dialogue over punitive measures and arguing that sanctions were ineffective and harmful to European interests. Hungary’s dependence on Russian energy increased with new deals in early 2023, making it Russia’s biggest energy customer in the EU. This financial relationship directly funds Russia’s war efforts against Ukraine, with Ukrainian officials accusing Hungary of complicity in Russian war crimes.
The manipulation of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine by the Hungarian government further bolsters its pro-Russian stance. By the end of 2023, Fidesz claimed that ethnic Hungarians were being coerced into fighting in Ukraine, a narrative serving both domestic and Russian interests. Russian influence in Hungary was evident through the centralised media environment, heavily controlled by pro-Fidesz interests, allowing the dissemination of pro-Russian and anti-Western narratives.
European leaders have unequivocally condemned Orbán’s actions. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, soon to be the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, tweeted: “In Moscow, Viktor Orbán in no way represents the EU or the EU’s positions. He is exploiting the EU presidency position to sow confusion. The EU is united, clearly behind Ukraine and against Russian aggression.”
European Council President Charles Michel stated, “The EU rotating presidency has no mandate to engage with Russia on behalf of the EU. The European Council is clear: Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the victim. No discussions about Ukraine can take place without Ukraine.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasised, “Viktor Orbán is travelling to Putin as Hungarian Prime Minister. The European Council is represented in foreign policy by Charles Michel. The EU’s position is very clear: we condemn the Russian war of aggression. Ukraine can rely on our support.”
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda added, “The unilateral decision by Viktor Orbán to go to Moscow doesn’t in any shape or form represent the EU position. It also undermines the credibility of Hungary. If you truly seek peace, you don’t shake hands with a bloody dictator, you put all your efforts to support Ukraine.”
The dangerous alignment of Hungary with Russia under Viktor Orbán not only threatens European security but also undermines the democratic values that the European Union stands for. By exploiting Western democratic principles, Hungary props up Putin’s agenda, posing a grave danger to the stability and unity of Europe. It is imperative for the European Union to address this malignant influence and reaffirm its commitment to democratic principles and security.
🇭🇺 @PM_ViktorOrban's alignment with 🇷🇺 Putin endangers 🇪🇺 European security and democratic values.
— FRONTLINER (@FRONTLINER_UK) July 6, 2024
Hungary's pro-Russian stance undermines EU unity and props up Kremlin agendas.
Europe must act decisively.https://t.co/Sbr1aeSFWu
🇭🇺 Orbán's Dangerous Dance with Putin 🇷🇺
— Vudi Xhymshiti (@VudiXhymshiti) July 6, 2024
Is @PM_ViktorOrban a willing puppet of Putin, undermining European unity and security, spreading Kremlin propaganda, and blocking crucial sanctions against Russia?
Should Europe act decisively?
My latest 🗞️https://t.co/rRndae08Ug
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