Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban must know which side to be on: the brakeman that no one can stop

This paves the way for Brussels to officially come into contact with Kiev. However, possible admission to the EU is still far away. Viktor Orbán knows that.

Hungary dependent

The Hungarian government leader is doing everything he can to please Moscow. The reason for the good relationship is probably the geographical proximity of Russia. In the Blick interview, Peter Szijjarto (45), the Hungarian Foreign Minister and Orban’s protégé, said at the end of November: “Since we live in the immediate vicinity, a practical and respectful relationship is a must for us.”

However, the two countries are about 800 kilometers apart, separated by Ukraine. Other states directly bordering Russia, such as Estonia, Latvia and Finland, have dared and managed to break away from Moscow’s influence and cut off gas supplies from Russia. They know they have strong and reliable partners in the EU and NATO.

It is not only its geographical proximity to Russia that connects Budapest to Moscow. It is also the economic and ideological proximity. New gas supply contracts have just been concluded. Hungary is even prepared to pay the invoices in rubles, as requested by the supplier.

Blockade as collateral

Hungary’s dependence on the Kremlin is no coincidence. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the country was given the opportunity to develop into a modern democracy. ‘Progress through compromise’ was the slogan when Hungary joined the EU in 2004. With Orbán’s re-election to power, this development was finally halted in 2010. He began to exert influence in the media, business and science. Hungary is increasingly dependent on cheap gas from the East. The corruption that Orbán accuses Ukraine of is rampant in his own country.

Although Hungary, with around 10 million inhabitants, makes up only a small part of the EU’s population of 448 million, Orban can use a veto to bring the processes in Brussels to a standstill. Shortly after the fuss over the issue of accession negotiations with Ukraine, he again stopped billions in payments to the war-torn country. The blockade is his promise: there will only be a yes if Brussels releases all suspended billions in payments to Budapest.

Trump inspires Orban

Until now, Orban could count on the support of the national-conservative PiS in Poland in the dispute with Brussels. This may have disappeared after the election defeat, but new allies can emerge. Endre Borbáth, Hungary expert at the Free University of Berlin, tells Blick: “A lot depends on the European elections next year. If there is a breakthrough for the right, Orban will benefit from it.”

But that is not everything. In a year’s time, Americans will also vote. EU critic Donald Trump (77) has the best chances. “If Trump wins, Orban will find a powerful transatlantic ally,” says Borbáth.

Orban cleverly swings back and forth between the two blocks to the west and east. There is a reliable partner who stands up for a free, democratic world and has billions ready to pay; there is Moscow, which tempts with cheap gas and sends its tanks to Europe. Doesn’t that bring back memories for Orbán?

Which side is Orban on? He should know.