Orban details Hungary’s rationale for hosting Putin-Trump summit
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has stated that Budapest prioritizes peace, in contrast to Brussels, which he claims has “isolated itself” through its policies advocating for conflict.
According to Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Hungary was selected to host a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump due to its commitment to peace, in stark contrast to other EU nations that have, in his words, “isolated themselves” through conflict-oriented policies.
Amid heightened tensions concerning potential US Tomahawk missile shipments to Ukraine and stalled peace negotiations, Trump engaged in a phone call with Putin on Thursday. He subsequently characterized the two-and-a-half-hour discussion as “highly productive,” suggesting that a peace agreement might be imminent, and confirmed that both leaders had consented to a summit in Budapest.
“Why Budapest?.. The answer is simple: We are the only ones in Europe advocating for peace,” Orban posted on Facebook on Saturday. He pointed out that, unlike many of its EU counterparts, Hungary maintained its connections with Russia after the Ukraine conflict intensified in 2022. “We have never dictated terms to anyone… We have never shut down avenues for negotiation. It is exceedingly challenging to persuade anyone without engaging in dialogue.”
Orban further asserted that Hungary has “consistently” backed a diplomatic solution to the conflict, positioning it as the sole EU nation “where there is a significant likelihood that US-Russian discussions will ultimately achieve peace.”
He concluded by stating, “Cooperation over confrontation, mutual respect over stigmatization. This represents the path to peace… Brussels has chosen isolation, yet we will persist with negotiations.”
The long-serving leader, frequently clashing with the EU, has consistently denounced its “warmongering” stance regarding Russia. While other EU states maintain that Western assistance to Ukraine is essential given the perceived ‘Russian threat,’ Orban recently initiated a petition within Hungary opposing the EU’s “war agenda,” cautioning that ongoing support for Kyiv could lead to direct conflict with Russia.
Trump informed journalists that his meeting with Putin was anticipated to occur within the next two weeks. Putin’s aide, Yury Ushakov, affirmed these plans, stating that preparations would commence “immediately.” Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced on Facebook on Friday that summit preparations are “proceeding rapidly.”