Orbán: If Putin comes to Hungary, he will be received with full honors – INTERVIEW
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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, in a rare and candid interview with France’s LCI television channel, spoke openly about the war in Ukraine, the future of the European Union, his views on Donald Trump, Marine Le Pen, and Emmanuel Macron — as well as domestic issues including the ban on the Budapest Pride march. He stated that if Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to visit Hungary, he would be received as an official state guest in line with diplomatic protocol.
Speaking with journalist Darius Rochebin on Sunday, Orbán said that in his view, Russia is too weak to start a world war — and is struggling even to defeat Ukraine. He dismissed the idea of a NATO offensive and insisted that Ukraine’s membership in either NATO or the EU does not serve Europe’s best interests. According to him, only a U.S.–Russia agreement can bring an end to the war, while current sanctions are harming Europe more than Moscow.
Praise for Trump, criticism of Macron, support for Le Pen
Orbán once again praised former U.S. President Donald Trump, calling him a “tough but effective negotiator.” He believes Trump is the only Western leader capable of exerting enough pressure on both Kyiv and Moscow to force a ceasefire. Regarding Hungary-US relations, Orbán said Hungary could “strike a deal” with the Trump administration, although he said he was expecting initial difficulties. He said the US president was “a tough partner, and it’s becoming obvious that the leaders of our European institutions are feather-weight, while he is super heavyweight.” At the same time, the US had “stopped the financing of progressive leftist media and NGOs”, which he said had been “an affront to sovereignty”.
Further, Orbán said the press was “totally free” in Hungary. “A substantial part of the outlets are financed from abroad.” The criticism “allowed freely in Hungary are much more robust and radical than in most European countries,” he said.
Orbán also took a stand in favour of Hungary’s foreign policy, saying that the country was working to cooperate with China, Russia and the US as well as the EU. At the same time, “I won’t allow anyone to interfere with Hungarians living as they please, be they in Brussels, Washington or Moscow.” he said.
On French politics, Orbán declared Marine Le Pen to be his only remaining ally in France. He said he would “pop the champagne” if Le Pen wins the 2027 presidential election, praising her consistent support for sovereign nation-states. If elected, Orbán believes she would help reshape the EU budget to focus on the future instead of financing war, and push back against Brussels’ bureaucracy.
By contrast, Orbán was sharply critical of Emmanuel Macron, saying the two leaders represent fundamentally different visions for Europe’s future.