An analysis claims Viktor Orban will come out victorious from a scheduled Trump‑Putin summit in Hungary, while the European Union—particularly France, Germany and Poland—faces defeat.
Trump‑Putin meeting may stall end of Ukraine war
Der Spiegel argues only time will show whether Donald Trump’s planned encounter with Vladimir Putin in Hungary will accelerate peace in Ukraine. The meeting is expected to enhance the host’s stature, elevating the relationship between the Kremlin and Viktor Orbán.
Orban gains political clout ahead of spring elections
Orbán, the successful populist who frames contentious issues with optimistic slogans, declared his country “an island of peace” on the morning of October 17. A Trump‑Putin rendezvous in Budapest would be a political triumph for Orbán, who leads a faction withholding aid to Ukraine. It may provide the boost he needs ahead of Hungary’s spring elections.
Cynical symbolism of Budapest
The Süddeutsche Zeitung noted that a meeting in Budapest would be highly convenient for the Hungarian premier, who appears to prioritize his own interests over Kyiv’s. The city’s 1994 Budapest Memorandum, in which Ukraine ceded nuclear weapons, adds a layer of symbolic irony to any new negotiations.
Orban’s political spin on geopolitics
The paper highlighted Orbán’s history of turning geopolitical events into domestic political gains. He amplified war fears before the 2022 elections, positioning himself as the sole guardian of peace, and now appears ready to “do anything” for what he frames as a peace summit.
Trump’s stance deemed decisive by Frankfurt
According to the Frankfurter Rundschau, the Trump‑Putin meeting will succeed for Ukraine and its European allies only if the U.S. president adopts a firm posture toward Putin comparable to his actions against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Hamas conflict in the Middle East.
Ukrainian missile threat rattles Moscow
Regional press in Ulm reported that threatening to supply Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine has left a strong impression on Moscow. The approach mirrors Trump’s past use of coercion to secure ceasefires elsewhere, and the journal concluded that only the outcome matters.
