Leaked transcripts of phone conversations reveal Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán offered assistance to Russia and expressed support for President Putin.
Orbán-Putin Conversation Details
A Bloomberg agency transcript of a phone call between Viktor Orbán and Vladimir Putin on October 17th shows the Hungarian Prime Minister declaring his willingness to help Russia “in any matter.”
Orbán reportedly referenced Aesop’s fable of a mouse freeing a lion from a net, with Hungary representing the mouse and Russia the lion, as an allegory for their relationship.
Reactions from Polish Officials
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski questioned Orbán’s “mouse” analogy, publishing a screenshot of the Bloomberg article on April 7th.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó responded, contrasting Hungary’s pursuit of peace with Poland’s support for war. He stated his party, Fidesz, does not tolerate criticism of Russia.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also reacted, questioning whether figures like Karol Nawrocki and Jarosław Kaczyński also support Orbán’s stance.
Mutual Praise and Potential Trump Meeting
The conversation between Orbán and Putin included mutual expressions of appreciation and praise for former U.S. President Donald Trump. They discussed a potential meeting in Budapest, which ultimately did not occur.
Putin stated Hungary was an acceptable location for a meeting between U.S. and Russian leaders, agreeing with Trump’s assessment that Orbán is a friend to both.
A March 3rd phone call saw Putin praising Hungary’s “principled position” regarding Ukraine.
Russian-Hungarian Cooperation and Sanctions
Investigative reports from VSquare, FRONTSTORY, Delfi Estonia, The Insider, and the Jan Kuciak Investigative Centre (ICJK) revealed recordings of Foreign Minister Szijjártó discussing efforts to remove Russian citizens from EU sanctions lists and opposing sanctions against Russia with Russian officials, including Sergey Lavrov and Pavel Sorokin.
Szijjártó assured Lavrov of Hungary’s continued availability to assist Russia.
U.S. Support for Orbán Ahead of Elections
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance visited Budapest on April 9th to meet with Prime Minister Orbán, demonstrating Washington’s support ahead of upcoming elections where Orbán’s party may lose power.
Hungarian Parliamentary Elections
Hungary will hold parliamentary elections on April 12th. Most independent polls show the opposition TISZA party leading Orbán’s Fidesz, while polls linked to the government indicate a slight lead for Orbán’s party.