Hungary's Orbán Defends Putin Meeting

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Facts

  • At an EU summit on Thursday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán defended his decision to meet with Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin during China's Belt and Road Forum last week after drawing criticism from fellow EU leaders.1
  • This comes as Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said Orbán's meeting was a “middle finger” to Ukraine, while Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas expressed disapproval of him shaking hands with the Russian leader — whom she called a “war criminal.”2
  • Defending his attendance at the meeting, Orbán maintained that he's a rare world leader seeking peace between Russia and Ukraine, adding that there can’t be peace if Western countries refuse to communicate with Russia.1
  • However, EU member state leaders — including French Pres. Emmanuel Macron — stuck to their policy toward Russia, condemning the meeting while acknowledging Hungary's sovereign right to act independently of the EU. Macron said Orbán should have consulted EU states before attending the Chinese summit.3
  • Since Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Western countries have imposed rounds of sanctions on Moscow and sent billions in military aid to Ukraine. But Orbán and new Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico have threatened to obstruct future aid to Ukraine.1
  • Orbán is the only EU leader who has met with Putin since the war started.4

Sources: 1Associated Press, 2Reuters, 3The Guardian and 4Radiofreeeurope/radioliberty.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by The Guardian. Orbán showed his affinity for authoritarianism by shaking hands with Putin, and also undermined European unity and security with his actions. The EU has formed a united front in support of Ukraine against Russia’s brutal invasion, yet Orbán has been a thorn in the side of democracy and the rules-based international order. Orbán must face consequences for his dangerous actions.
  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Hungarian Conservative. While other Western countries continue down the path of destruction by aiding and abetting a never-ending war that’s already lasted 20 months, Hungary is seeking a diplomatic solution. This war has been disastrous beyond Russia and Ukraine, and if communication with Putin is needed to end this disaster, leaders have a duty to talk with him.

Predictions