The date for the peace talks between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin in the Hungarian capital is not yet known, but Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is already triumphing in the media.
Orban is also very active on the X platform, where in his personal profile he describes himself as a “peace fighter, husband, father, grandfather and Prime Minister of Hungary“. And the remarkable thing is that “peace fighter“ comes first, commented the German public media ARD.
“Hungary is an island of peace”, Orban wrote on Thursday. “The planned meeting between the US and Russian presidents is great news for all people who love peace. We are ready.“
Europe in the image of the enemy
However, Europe is fully geared up for war, Orbán claims in a video: “Even by its own definition, Europe is at war. Both the leaders of the major EU countries and the heads of European institutions are talking about the Russian-Ukrainian war as if it were our war and as if Europe is at war“, ARD quotes Orbán as saying.
Viktor Orbán's attacks are particularly focused on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: “Every day we see how EC President Ursula von der Leyen travels around the world and does nothing but talk about war. This clearly shows that in this case there is something like a war psychosis and a competition to take the most belligerent position“, Orbán says in the same video.
Serious criticism of Orbán
Orbán's behavior is being criticized by the overwhelming majority of EU countries. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda also criticized:
“Orbán is sending absolutely wrong messages in all directions – both to the international community and to Ukraine. Ukraine is fighting for its freedom and independence“, Nauseda said.
His criticism of Orbán is similar to the criticism of Trump, the German public media commented: “Both of them have so far achieved nothing to stop the war against Ukraine, except to talk about peace and treat Putin kindly and friendly. And Putin has never given up on his intention to conquer Ukraine“, Nauseda points out.
Hungary as “the only place of hope”
Orbán announces that preparations for the peace talks in Budapest are in full swing. He has already spoken by phone with both Trump and Putin. A US-Hungarian meeting in Washington was also planned. Orbán presents things as if Hungary is the only place of hope in Europe: “If you look at the map today and the European heads of state and government, it quickly becomes clear that Budapest is the only place in Europe where such a meeting can be held“, the prime minister claims. “Hungary is the only country that is for peace, and in this regard we are working together with Slovakia. But for three years now we have been the only country that has openly, categorically and actively advocated peace.“
Will the Putin-Trump summit help Orbán?
In April next year, parliamentary elections will be held in Hungary. Polls have been giving Orbán's rival, Péter Magyar and his pro-European party, Tisza, an advantage for months. And during the European Parliament elections, Orbán also played the Ukrainian card, ARD recalls.
In his campaign at the time, he tried to convince voters that the EU wanted to send Hungarian soldiers to the front to fight against the Russians. It is assumed that he will rely on a similar narrative now, ARD predicts. Orban is counting on the peace talks between Trump and Putin in Budapest to significantly improve his position in the upcoming elections.
Author: Oliver Zoos ARD