Can Orbán turn the Budapest summit into political advantage for the elections?

The Budapest summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin has drawn enormous international attention to Hungary. The question is whether Prime Minister Viktor Orbán can turn this historic event into political capital — or whether, behind the spectacle, it will remain just a fleeting diplomatic moment.

Part of the international press has described the choice of Budapest as the venue as a diplomatic success. Several foreign outlets have noted that Hungary has found itself in a unique position in Europe, maintaining dialogue with both sides while other EU countries have distanced themselves from talks. Still, scepticism remains. Reuters called the meeting “an awkward moment for the European Union and NATO”, noting that Hungary is trying to mediate between two global powers on European matters — without involving other European nations.

For years, the governing party’s strategy has been built around messages of stability and peace. The upcoming summit fits perfectly into that narrative: Hungary appears calm, predictable and — in the government’s view — capable of acting as a bridge between East and West. The guests, the stage and the media attention all reinforce the impression that Hungarian diplomacy is on the right track.

This image could also serve the 2026 election campaign, where political success often depends less on concrete results and more on perception. Yet maintaining that perception will require consistent communication — and tangible outcomes.

Behind the diplomatic success lies political risks

A successful outcome requires more than spectacle. In political communication, what matters is what voters believe. The biggest risk for the government is that the summit produces no tangible result. If the meeting fails to bring progress in the war in Ukraine — or results only in polite photo opportunities — public expectations could quickly fade, leaving the event insignificant compared with the hype.

Even a positive outcome may not translate into domestic political gain. The government’s peace-oriented message is not new; this summit might reinforce the existing narrative but is unlikely to expand Fidesz’s base — while still carrying risks for Hungary’s international reputation.

Orbán has long shown skill in turning diplomacy into a tool of political communication. This time, however, he faces a tougher challenge. The international climate is tense, trust is low, and few believe that a single meeting can bring an end to the war. The Hungarian government will have to tread carefully: it must maintain good relations with both the United States and Russia, while still aligning with EU and NATO expectations.

• How could Vladimir Putin come to Budapest with all the sanctions and arrest warrants?

The base grows stronger, the undecided hold back

The Budapest summit primarily resonates with the governing party’s core supporters. For them, it is further proof that the Prime Minister can assert Hungary’s interests among global powers. The symbolic notion of “Budapest as the city of peace” reinforces their belief in the government’s international weight.

Among undecided voters, however, the picture is less clear. They tend to care less about foreign-policy prestige and more about whether such events have real effects on everyday life. If nothing changes — neither in the course of the war nor in Hungary’s economic outlook — the summit’s political impact will soon fade.

Ultimately, the government’s communication will remain credible only if it sustains the image that Hungary was a meaningful participant in the Budapest summit — not merely the stage for a formal diplomatic show.

Cover photo: Orbán Viktor / Facebook