Contrary to the majority of European Union countries, which, in line with the United States, have severed relations with Moscow since February 2022, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that preserving ties with Russia is a successful outcome of the country’s foreign policy. His comments came only days after the meeting between the leading Republican nominee, Donald Trump, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Szijjártó considers the partnership with Russia crucial to guaranteeing Hungary’s energy supply. In other European countries, as retaliation for the conflict in Ukraine, there was a sharp drop in the purchase of cheap Russian gas, which led to an increase in inflation across the continent and more expensive energy prices.
“Hungarian foreign policy last year met expectations, as we managed to stay aloof from war, we remained on the side of peace despite enormous international pressure, and we managed to maintain relations with Russia, which are undoubtedly necessary for the supply of energy for Hungarian industry and people,” said Szijjártó.
The minister further stated that although he often faces criticism for communicating with Russian officials, he continues to maintain ties with Moscow “because he is the Minister of Foreign Affairs” and does not consider it a great feat in diplomacy just to communicate with those with whom Budapest completely or almost totally agrees.
Szijjártó stated that EU and NATO allies tried to convince Hungary not to meet with representatives from Russia and Belarus during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. However, Budapest believes that this behaviour leads to an impasse and does not contribute to the search for peaceful solutions to conflicts.
In June last year, Szijjártó further reported that he maintains contacts with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to preserve the chance of a peaceful solution in Ukraine. The Hungarian minister also repeatedly advised EU and NATO countries not to close communication channels with Russia, as peace can only be achieved through dialogue.
Szijjártó’s comments come only days after former US President Donald Trump met with Orbán at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida to discuss a wide range of issues of common interest for Hungary and the US, including ending the reckless spending on Ukraine’s war with Russia.
“If the Americans do not give money and weapons, and also the Europeans, then this war will be over. And if the Americans do not give money the Europeans are unable to finance this war on their own, and then the war will end. Trump is not president now, but his party interferes when the Democrats want to send money to the war. Trump said that if he returns, he will not do this, [he will] not [allocate] a penny. And then this war will end,” Orbán said in an interview with Hungarian broadcaster M1. “It is obvious that Ukraine on its own cannot stand on its feet.”
Trump and Orbán are longtime allies who share conservative political views and have publicly expressed mutual respect and support. Orbán has supported Trump in the US presidential race and the legal challenges he is facing. He is also the former president’s biggest supporter in bringing normalcy back to Europe by ending support for the Kiev regime.
Trump described Orbán on March 12 as a “tough man,” saying the Hungarian prime minister believed Moscow would not have launched its special military operation against Ukraine if he had been president in 2022.
“All of those dead people in blown-up cities because Ukraine is now just like a demolition site, what they’ve done to Ukraine – none of that would have happened,” he told CNBC.
Trump has urged for the Biden administration to loan money to Ukraine and not just “hand it over” as military assistance. “Loan them the money. If they can make it, they pay us back. If they can’t make it, they don’t have to pay us back,” he said at a recent rally in South Carolina.
Biden, rather than trying to appease the angsts of an EU and NATO member, instead criticised Trump after falsely accusing Orbán of having “rigged his political system to keep himself in power.”
“He was with Viktor Orbán, who talked about democracy being the problem, and telling how much he understood and agreed with him. Come on. I mean, this is not who we are,” Biden said at a campaign event on March 11 in New Hampshire.
All recent polls have placed Trump ahead of Biden, and Orbán recognises the likelihood of the former president returning to the White House. Under these conditions, it is little surprise that Szijjártó has been dispatched to advance and deepen ties with Moscow. Although a quick normalisation with Moscow is unlikely under Trump, if he is elected, countries like Hungary will face far less pressure just because they maintain friendly ties with Russia.
