Russia

Ukraine: Hungary supports Putin going to the bottom of history

Ukraine fighting for Europe

Mykhailo Podolyak, a chief advisor of President Zelensky, said on Twitter that “Hungary repeatedly nullifies its reputation by directly supporting the ru-corpse”. That was not the first time the official slammed the Hungarian government for its allegedly pro-Russia policies.

Ukraine official slams Hungary

Gergely Gulyás, the Hungarian prime minister’s chief of staff, said this Thursday that Hungary would not arrest President Putin because the International Court of Arbitration’s (ICC) statute was not proclaimed.

Mr Podolyak reacted passionately on Twitter, index.hu wrote. He wrote that Russia was a “criminal country” going to the “bottom of history”, “but Hungary repeatedly nullifies its reputation by directly supporting the ru-corpse. Rejecting even its signing of the Rome Statute. What for?”

ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin last week since they believe he holds responsibility for taking away Ukrainian kids to Russia. The Ukrainian government says Russian authorities abducted more than 16 thousand kids in Russia.

Before, Podolyak said that Hungary was the only problematic country of the European family. That is because the country baulks every reaction to horrors Russia committed in Ukraine. However, the truth is that Hungary has supported all EU sanctions against Russia.

Here is a video of a Russian rocket hitting a residential area in Zaporizhzhia:

Orbán vows to ‘protect farmers against Ukraine grain dumping’

“We will protect farmers from the harmful effects of Ukrainian grain dumping,” Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Facebook on Friday. At a European Union summit that had ended earlier in the day, countries of central Europe agreed to cooperate and ensure protection to agricultural producers against “harmful effects of Ukrainian grain dumping,” Orbán said. He added that their actions would be coordinated by Mateusz Morawiecki, his Polish counterpart.

ukraine hungarians on front war transcarpathia
Read alsoGrowing number of Ukrainians think that Hungary “plays for the Russians”

What happened? PM Orbán agrees to new sanctions against Russia in Brussels

orbán in brussels

Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán agreed to new sanctions against Russia on the first day of the two-day EU summit in Brussels. He also acknowledged Putin’s arrest warrant.

The conclusions of the European Council have been published after the first day of the EU summit. The documents include, among other things, that the leaders of the member states take note of the arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin recently issued by the International Criminal Court, which was previously vetoed by Hungary, 444.hu reports.

The document was endorsed by all participating Member State leaders, including Viktor Orbán. However, contrary to the adoption of the document, Hungary has not promulgated the statute.

The document summarising the Council meeting also shows that there remains a consensus among Member State leaders to increase collective pressure on Russia. This could mean further restrictive measures, such as an oil price cap.

The European Council urges the implementation of sanctions at European and national level. It is committed to preventing them from being abused by third countries. They will also step up joint work to counter Russian narratives and disinformation.

Official at UN Water Conference: Natural resources common heritage

The Hungarian government aims to maintain a liveable and clean country for future generations, the state secretary for environment affairs and the circular economy said at the UN 2023 Water Conference concluding in New York on Friday.

“Natural resources, such as water, are a common heritage of our nation and sustainable development is therefore one of the principles in the constitution approved in 2012,” the ministry of technology and industry said in a statement quoting Anikó Raisz. “While numerous parts of the world suffer from water shortage, Hungary, thanks to its fortunate geographical, geological and hydrogeological characteristics, is rich in quality water resources, and we therefore consider clean water a national treasure,” she added.

Raisz said the government paid special attention to maintaining the condition of water resources in the country and also supported civil initiatives to ensure that Hungary’s rivers remain free of waste and pollution.

Education and raising public awareness are part of Hungary’s national programme, including an environmental education scheme concerning waters dubbed BISEL (Biotic Index at Secondary Education Level) which is an effective way of bringing students closer to the issues of water management and environmental protection, Raisz said. Joint action linking several sectors, such as cross-border cooperation, is also important, which can be further strengthened by the joint targets laid down in the Water Action Agenda, she added.

traffic jam hungary budapest city
Read alsoDeadly hit-and-runs in Budapest: Massive speed limit coming soon

Opposition: Hungary should be able to arrest Putin for committing war crimes

putin russia

The opposition Democratic Coalition’s (DK) shadow government paid a two-day visit to London and studied the operations of Britain’s Labour Party, Ágnes Vadai said on Thursday.

Vadai told an online press briefing that she met Chris Evans, the UK’s shadow minister for defence procurement, and they discussed NATO expansion and joint procurements by the alliance.

She then met Holly Lynch, the shadow security minister, and they discussed the security challenge Russia poses to Europe and NATO as well as the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Vadai said the Hungarian government “made clear on Thursday that if the Russian president enters Hungarian territory they cannot launch a procedure against him of any kind.” DK will submit a resolution proposal to parliament on implementing all ICC decisions and the body’s statute in Hungary. If Putin “steps onto Hungarian soil, the Hungarian authorities should be able to arrest him immediately for committing war crimes,” she said.

Putin and Orbán
Read alsoHungary wouldn’t arrest Putin if the Russian President visited Budapest

Hungary wouldn’t arrest Putin if the Russian President visited Budapest

Putin and Orbán

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Chief of Staff, Gergely Gulyás said that Russian President Vladimir Putin wouldn’t be arrested, if he was to visit Hungary.

Recently the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the Hungarian state wouldn’t arrest Putin, even if he would be in Hungary, Gergely Gulyás confirmed to telex.hu among others during a government briefing.

Hungary does not support the arrest warrant

The International Crimical Court recently issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin. He is “allegedly responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population (children) and unlawful transfer of population (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation” – writes ICC statement.

Read also: Hungary’s 100-year-old doctor: I condemn Orbán for his total lack of humanity

According to Bloomberg, Hungary vetoed a joint statement of the EU on the ICC’s arrest warrant. A spokesperson of the Hungarian government denied this accusation, by telling MTI that “Hungary takes note of the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and does not wish to comment on it in any way”.

As Reuters points out, Hungary signed and ratified the Rome Statute that created the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued the arrest warrant for Putin.

No legal ground to act

At the same time, Gergely Gulyás believes that Hungary would not have to arrest the Russian President, as it would not have legal grounds to do so.

“We cannot arrest the Russian President because the Convention of the International Criminal Court has not been promulgated in Hungary,” said Gergely Gulyás. “We can refer to the Hungarian law and based on that we cannot arrest the Russian President.”

Gergely Gulyás added that “this did not happen by chance”, but because according to the Hungarian government’s stance, the agreement is contrary to the Hungarian constitution, as János Áder – former Hungarian president – has already pointed out several times.

Gulyás repeated that the Hungarian government “had not formed a stance” on the arrest warrant.

“These decisions are not the most fortunate as they take things towards further escalation and not towards peace, this is my personal subjective opinion” – added the Chief of Staff of the PM.

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Read alsoSzijjártó: Hungary will not give up Russian energy for political reasons

Ambassador Pressman compares the Hungarian government with the Kremlin

US Ambassador David Pressman Budapest

David Pressman, the US ambassador to Hungary, likened the Hungarian government to the Kremlin. He said that Orbán’s cabinet reacts in the exact same way as Moscow when other countries try to interfere in its internal affairs.

At a panel discussion with Milorad Dodik at the Trebinje Energy Forum in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, Péter Szijjártó called it outrageous that the US State Department is dealing with the internal affairs of other countries. He critisised their writing reports on the human rights and other situations of foreign states on the basis of all kinds of “one-sided information”, Index reports.

The Foreign Minister was reacting to a 2022 human rights country report published on 20 March by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. The report also criticises the independence of the judiciary and freedom of the press in Hungary. It also looks specifically at corruption in Hungary.

David Pressman reacted to Szijjártó’s statement on Twitter:

PM’s chief of staff: Hungary committed to staying out of war

Hungary remains committed to staying out of the war in Ukraine, calls for a ceasefire and peace talks, and does not participate in weapon deliveries, the Head of the Prime Minister’s Office told a press conference on Thursday.

The past few weeks have seen “an increasing number of worrying statements” rejecting ceasefires and calling for continuing the war, Gergely Gulyás said. Those calls point to an escalation rather than the peaceful solution Hungary’s government is promoting, he said.

The government stands by the ceasefire and peace talks as the only way to save lives, he said. Accordingly, Hungary will stay out of weapon deliveries, but remains an active member of all preparations geared at increasing defence capacity and improving defence equipment within the NATO or Hungary, he said.

Hungary wishes to take part in the European Union’s joint ammunition purchase, but only for domestic use, and will not send life-threatening equipment abroad, he said. He also called on all political forces to support the “pro-peace resolution” submitted by ruling party lawmakers at the vote in parliament next week.

Read alsoNATO ignores Hungary’s objection, holds Ukraine committee meeting

Szijjártó: Hungary will not give up Russian energy for political reasons

factory-energy sector emission caps

Hungary refuses to give up its energy security for any political reason, the minister of foreign affairs and trade said on Wednesday, adding that though the country was working hard to diversify its energy supplies, it had no intention of phasing out Russian energy imports.

Speaking at a panel discussion with Milorad Dodik, the Serbian member of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s presidential troika, at an energy forum in Trebinje, Péter Szijjártó said Hungary was directly impacted by the negative effects of the armed conflict in Ukraine. Hungary is in a special situation given that it is a landlocked country and imports most of the energy it consumes, he said.

“We view the question of energy as a part of physical reality,” Szijjártó said. “And we would like it if the world applied a grounded approach to at least the issue of energy consumption,” the minister said. This requires natural gas sources and pipelines, “otherwise we’re fostering illusions”, he added.

Hungary applies a realistic approach to energy, he said, adding this meant realising that it was physically impossible to guarantee the security of the country’s natural gas supply without Russian imports. “It’s not impossible politically, but physically,” he emphasised.

Hungary’s government has made considerable efforts for the long-term diversification of the country’s energy mix, but it takes time for these to be successful, Szijjártó said. Natural gas pipelines cannot be built overnight, the minister said, adding that it was possible that Hungary would no longer require Russian gas imports in five to eight years’ time.

“We refuse to give up our own energy security for any political reason,” he said.

Diversification means involving as many sources as possible in the energy mix, not just swapping one dependence for another, he said, adding that Hungary would be counting on Russian energy along with other sources in the future, too.

Szijjártó said Russia’s Gazprom had proven itself to be a reliable partner, and because that partnership was not subject to sanctions, there was no reason to phase out Russian energy. Meanwhile, he said the ten sanctions packages imposed on Russia by the European Union had failed to “bring Russia to its knees” and the war was “more brutal than ever”.

As regards potential sanctions against Dodik, Szijjártó said that as long as the current government remained in power in Hungary, “President Dodik will definitely not be added to any sanctions list.” “Those who think that sanctions can accomplish anything in the Western Balkans have no idea about the situation in the Western Balkans,” Szijjártó said.

Peace and stability in the Western Balkans is crucial for Hungary, he said, adding that this could best be upheld by promoting economic growth in the region.

Fuel station Hungary
Read alsoHere is why fuel is so expensive in Hungary and when it will change

Foreign ministry: Hungarian veto is a lie

eu european union hungary flag priority areas

The foreign ministry on Monday rejected “mendacious” reports that Hungary had vetoed a joint European Union statement welcoming the International Criminal Court’s decision on Russian officials suspected of war crimes.

In a statement to Josep Borrell, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs, Hungary said it accepted the ICC’s decision to issue a warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, on suspicion of their direct responsibility in the unlawful deportation and transport of Ukrainian children to Russia.

Hungary does not wish to comment on the warrant in any way, foreign ministry spokesman Máté Paczolay said in a statement late on Monday, but it will not object to statements made by the high representative or individual member states on the issue, he added.

putin orbán Will the Budapest meeting of eurozone finance ministers be boycotted?
Read alsoBREAKING – Bloomberg: Hungary vetoes joint EU resolution on Putin arrest warrant

Could sanctions cause problems for Hungarian MOL’s gas supply?

Oil and gas pipe Russian oil

The latest restriction on oil products could have a negative impact on EU energy markets. According to an expert from MOL, this could even cause inflation, but the question is how the Russians will react.

Sanctions against Russia

The EU sanctions on Russia have not had a major impact on the European energy market so far, 24.hu reports. The main reason for the price hikes last year was pressure from Russia.

In December 2022, the European Commission banned imports of Russian offshore crude oil to the EU as the first step of its sixth package of sanctions. But even this has not had a major impact.

However, on 5 February, a new sanction came into force, banning imports of refined petroleum products (petrol, diesel and others) from Russia. This will put an end to Russian oil coming into the EU and being refined here. However, this would have been a serious problem for many countries, so refining was necessary. The EU allows exports within the EU or to third countries on the basis of the mass balance principle. This means that a country can export as much as the proportion of non-Russian oil it processes.

Impact on MOL

So far, MOL has spent USD 170 million to use less Russian oil and more Adriatic oil at the Danube Refinery.

“The company is already able to process 30-35 percent of alternative oil types in Százhalombatta, so it can potentially export 30-35 percent of the finished products produced,” said Ágnes Horváth, chief economist at MOL. MOL has to divest some of the oil maturing on the Friendship pipeline. Slovnaft, the Slovak subsidiary of the Hungarian multinational, is in a difficult situation, having processed only 5 percent of non-Russian oil.

“The risk is that it is still unclear how the Russian side will react if we halve or even reduce our purchases by a third,” Horváth said. The EU has been ordering less and less Russian gas, but pipeline maintenance, transit fees and other extra costs have not fallen significantly.

So Russia can hit back at the EU without losing much in terms of business. Hungary’s strategic stocks provide enough crude oil and fuel for several months. In a worst-case scenario, there could be a diesel shortage in the region, which would dampen economic activity.

Budapest metro line M3
Read alsoBudapest M3 metro back in service from Monday: here is the timetable

BREAKING – Bloomberg: Hungary vetoes joint EU resolution on Putin arrest warrant

putin orbán Will the Budapest meeting of eurozone finance ministers be boycotted?

Three days ago, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin. It holds the Russian president directly and personally responsible for crimes committed by Russian forces or groups linked to them in Ukraine.

Somewhat unusually, the European Union has not followed this up with any official statement or position, with only the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borell, issuing a statement under his own name in which he said that he ‘takes note’ of the ICC’s action.

According to Bloomberg sources, this was because the joint statement by EU member states was vetoed by the Hungarian government. EU justice ministers issued a joint statement saying they supported the decision, but Hungary did not sign it either.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reacted after the circular was issued, saying it was “outrageous and unacceptable” but had no legal relevance for Russia. On Monday, the spokesman said the decision expressed “clear hostility” to Russia and Putin personally.

In a ridiculous response to the ICC arrest warrant, Moscow has launched criminal proceedings against the ICC prosecutor and judges who issued a wanted notice against Putin.

Read alsoEU Parliament “deplores” Hungarian minister over Belarus visit

Growing number of Ukrainians think that Hungary “plays for the Russians”

ukraine hungarians on front war transcarpathia

Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin says a growing number of Ukrainians think that Hungary acts against them and is playing into Russia’s hand. The diplomat laments the Hungarian government’s communication.

According to former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Pavlo Klimkin, the Hungarian government’s communication creates a false picture of Hungarians in Ukraine. The diplomat voiced his concerns to Válasz Online.

Officially, the Hungarian government, which received certain exemptions for Russian gas and raw material, voted for every EU sanction against Russia. The government provides humanitarian aid to the country, but unlike many other NATO member countries, does not offer military help to Ukraine.

The official, ever-repeated line from the government is that Hungary must do everything to help peace negotiations. However, politicians and opinion leaders close to the Hungarian government have voiced criticism towards Ukraine. Alternatively, they relativise Russia’s responsibility in the invasion of Ukraine.

Former FM Pavlo Klimkin thinks that this sort of communication through the media has dangerous consequences.

“In Ukraine, there is a growing perception that Hungary is partly playing for the Russians,” Pavlo said to Válasz Online. “With getting exceptions to energy sanctions, by simply causing complications around sanctions, by wanting to remove Russian oligarchs, by refusing to supply arms.”

“Even though Budapest has so far voted in favour of all ten sanctions packages, this attitude is particularly painful in wartime and is spreading like wildfire in the Ukrainian media.”

“The image of Hungary playing into the hands of the Russians is insanely dangerous because we must not be seen to be enemies,” says Pavlo. He says that the people of the two countries must get to know each other better to understand the nuances of their lives.

Make friends, not war

“If you were to ask someone on the streets of Kyiv right now whether they know a single Hungarian rock band or novel, or even a Hungarian in general, the answer would be that they know no one apart from Viktor Orbán. It’s a shame, we are neighbours.”

Pavlo recognises how the Hungarian government forges political capital from the current situation. However, he says that politicians must not underestimate how their not so carefully formed messages are affecting the everyday man.

“It seems to me that the Hungarian Prime Minister has the honourable but risky ambition to be a kind of bridge between the United States and China – he wants to appear bigger than he is. But it really should start with message control: understanding not only what we want to say, but also how it affects our societies.”

Viktor Orbán President Erdogan
Read alsoHungary will veto Sweden’s NATO bid with Türkiye?

EU Parliament “deplores” Hungarian minister over Belarus visit

The European Parliament deplores Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó. The Hungarian foreign minister visited Belarus in February, which goes against the stance of the EU.

Hungarian FM in Belarus

The European Parliament expressed disapproval regarding Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó’s visit to Belarus, telex.hu reports. The politician had a meeting with Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik.

The European Parliament’s resolution condemned the visit. The EP “underlines the importance of strengthening EU unity concerning Belarus, including as regards the diplomatic isolation of the current regime”.

The EP continues to condemn “any actions, including high-ranking visits to the de facto authorities in Minsk which could cast doubt on the Union’s unequivocal non-recognition of the Lukashenka regime,” before surprisingly naming Szijjártó directly.

“In this context, (the EP) deplores the 13 February 2023 visit to Minsk by the Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, which contradicts the EU policy on Belarus and on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.”

Hungary unfazed

The resolution has no legal consequences and probably does not bother the Hungarian Foreign Ministry. As a matter of fact, Péter Szijjártó was already aware that the meeting would face backlash during his press conference.

“It is clear that after you report that I was here today discussing the importance of peace with my Belarusian colleague, I will be attacked by many people” – Péter Szijjártó is quoted by telex.hu

“My fellow politicians in the West, the international liberal media, will all say how unacceptable it is that I was here today and that I had talks with my Belarusian colleague. I want to say one thing in response. The Hungarian position has always been clear: the channels of communication must be kept open.”

Slovak President
Read alsoSlovak President fears her country could step onto Orbán’s path

Szijjártó said that he asked Belarusian Foreign Minister Aleinik to “do his utmost for peace and do his utmost against the prolongation and escalation of the war”.

The resolution again condemns Belarus’s involvement in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The European Parliament argues that “Lukashenka and other Belarusian officials share responsibility” for war crimes committed in Ukraine. Therefore, they should be held accountable in a “special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine and other appropriate international courts”.

Putin would be in serious trouble if he visited Hungary – will he come?

Putin visit Crimea

Russian President Vladimir Putin and PM Viktor Orbán regularly meet with each other every year. In 2022, they met in Moscow at the far ends of a very long table. Orbán later said that he felt something went wrong in Putin’s head, but nobody expected that only weeks later, he would launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In 2023, neither the Russians nor the Hungarians said anything of a possible meeting. Yet.

But the two leaders agreed they would meet regularly with each other to discuss the issues considering their states. By the way, FM Péter Szijjártó and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, met even after the war in Ukraine started last February to sign deals concerning, for example, extra gas deliveries to Hungary.

Here is the very long table of the last Putin-Orbán meeting:

However, if Putin decided to meet with Orbán and he travelled to Hungary for that (last year, they met in Russia), he would be in great trouble. That is because there is an international warrant against him. Thus, he could be arrested provided he travelled to Hungary.

According to Blikk, the International Court of Justice in the Hague issued a warrant against the Russian President. Since Hungary accepts the jurisdiction of the ICJ, authorities should apprehend the Russian leader the moment he touches Hungarian ground. The International Court of Justice charges Putin with kidnapping 16 thousand children from Ukraine. Some Ukrainian parents could get their kids back only with the help of some human rights organisations.

Putin Russian president
Read alsoPutin: region Hungarians live in is old Russian land

Russian media: 1956 revolution in Hungary organised by Western powers

Putin Russia media

Russia has a harmful and unhistorical narrative about every revolution and freedom fight in Eastern Europe, saying that almost all of them were organised by Western powers. The list includes even Hungary’s 1956 revolution and freedom fight.

In October and November 1956, the sweeping majority of the Hungarian nation said they would not like to continue to be members of the Warsaw Pact and the Communist block led by the Soviet Union. There were huge demonstrations in Budapest and other Hungarian municipalities claiming the re-establishment of the rule of law in Hungary instead of the Communist brutality and terror and sticking to the idea of remaining neutral in the Cold War. Finally, Soviet tanks crushed the revolution transforming it into a fight for freedom.

However, it seems Russia remembers otherwise. Their state media claimed Western powers moved the strings behind the Hungarian revolution in 1956. Therefore, it was a “colour revolution”, just like the one taking place twice in Ukraine or Czechoslovakia in 1968. They claimed the 1989 revolution was successful in Romania because it was organised by France, not the Anglo-Saxons, telex.hu wrote.

A so-called war correspondent named Borzenko said that America pumped much money into Romania and other countries. That is how NGOs were formed to fight for Western interests, he believes. That is not the first time Russia’s state media claimed Western powers were behind anti-Soviet and anti-Russian movements. In 2016, they claimed that the CIA organised the Hungarian 1956 revolution.

Government: Hungary stands by peace

Hungary stands by peace in the face of external efforts to “push it into the war in Ukraine”, a state secretary of the foreign ministry told public news channel M1 on Friday, MTI wrote. Responding to the European Parliament’s criticism of Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó’s visit to Belarus, Tamás Menczer said Szijjártó had used the visit to highlight the importance of dialogue and to encourage all warring parties to negotiate. “Once again, it’s become clear who is pro-war and who pro-peace,” he said.

Russia, a nuclear power, should be negotiated with, he said. “Talk of a third world war … [and] conflict between nuclear powers is becoming increasingly frequent.” Conflict between NATO and Russia should be avoided at all cost because “that would mean the end of us all”. This can only be avoided through negotiations, he said. “Those against negotiations, like the MEPs criticising the Hungarian foreign minister, are pro-war as they don’t really want peace and a ceasefire,” he said.

Read alsoRussian “spy bank” tried to “pressure” Hungary as it faces bankruptcy

American expert fears ‘Europe’s new gas station’ Hungary from Russian influence

PM Orbán and Putin Russian gas

Despite the war in Ukraine, Hungary remains a key transit hub for Russian gas. According to the president of the US-Europe Alliance, the Hungarian economic and political advancements should be alarming for the EU and the US.

The Hungarian economy is heavily relying on Russian gas and oil, and the government was dully bargaining with the EU to get exemptions from the sanctions. But the Hungarian government is further strengthening its political relations with Russia, which should cause alarm in the Western bloc. As hvg.hu points out, according to Richard Kraemer, president of the US-Europe Alliance bipartisan organisation, Hungary is playing a dangerous game.

Kraemer argues even if Russia loses the war in Ukraine, it will maintain its political influence through the energy sector in Europe. In no small part thanks to the Hungarian government.

In recent months, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán signed strategic partnerships with Georgia, Azerbaijan, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Austria. There’s also a memorandum of understanding between Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary to develop the Vertical Corridor for gas.

“Enter Hungary, Europe’s new gas station. All roads lead to Budapest,” writes Kraemer in The National Interest. According to the law professor, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is “working overtime” to establish Hungary as Europe’s new key gas transit hub, while Europe tries to shift away from Russian energy.

The weakest link

However, Kraemer thinks that the short-term political gains should not outweigh the danger that the close relationship brings to the EU.

“As Hungary’s prime minister, it’s his prerogative to bolster Hungary’s economy with transit revenue, low energy prices, and a diversified supplier portfolio. But while he works to increase gas supplies from southern Europe, Orbán is locking Hungary into a long-term, energy-based client relationship with Moscow,” writes Kraemer.

“All indicators suggest that Orbán intends to keep Russian energy sources on tap for decades to come – in exchange for seemingly selling the Kremlin a base for European mischief and a permanent veto in Brussels.”

“Viktor Orbán is Vladimir Putin’s man in Brussels and beyond, despite the threats to NATO. As he links up with fellow authoritarian-trending travelers along these gas routes, Orbán’s multiple acts of Russian allegiance should ring alarm bells in Western capitals.”

Hungarian soldiers Ukraine
Read alsoHungarian soldiers in Ukraine call out “shameless” politicians

Russian “spy bank” tried to “pressure” Hungary as it faces bankruptcy

Leaked internal files exposed that the Russia-linked International Investment Bank (IIB) tried to put pressure on the Hungarian government. The situation within the “Russian spy bank” is dire, and the Hungarian government could lose serious investment with very little return.

The International Investment bank, in which Russia holds a 45.4 percent share and Hungary has a 25.27 percent share which is increasingly likely to go under. Direkt36 got access to several leaked emails from the company. They show that the Russian bank either goes bankrupt or leaves Hungary, in which case it is unclear whether the money invested by the Hungarian government will be repaid.

As we have previously written, following the exit of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria, Hungary remained the only European shareholder in the bank. The country’s shares increased by a massive 8 percent, to the current 25.27 percent.

Between two walls

However, the company is in a dire state. Only 4 days after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Belgian-based institution Euroclear blocked the bank’s funds, according to the leaked documents reviewed by Direkt36. Although the IIB has its headquarters in Budapest, the bank’s account was opened by a Russian financial institution, Rosbank. Therefore, Euroclear argues that the bank falls under the EU sanctions against Russia.

Curiously, the bank was also affected by Russian counter-sanctions. To lift those sanctions, CFO Elliott Auckland tried to show the IIB “as Russia-friendly as possible” to Moscow. With that, they successfully avoided a downgrading Moscow-based rating agency ACRA. However, that in itself couldn’t save the bank.

The IIB also tried to sell its office in Moscow, which was valued at EUR 48.5 million. But a senior executive argued that Hungary should not be notified of the sale. According to Direkt36, the thought was that “the Hungarian government should not think that the IIB could easily solve its problems on its own.”

“We need to pressure them as the only country who can give us liquidity (and not let them think we can survive comfortably on our own)” – the unnamed executive wrote to his colleagues.

Next, Russia tried to transfer EUR 67.6 million paid-in capital to Hungary, which would then immediately transfer EUR 20 million to the then potentially new member country Serbia, according to a document dated August 23, 2022. But that option failed, as “such transactions would fall under EU sanctions that prohibit any investments in Russia.”

Hungary tried to lift the sanctions

According to the leaked documents seen by Direkt36, a letter was drafted by Minister of Economic Development Márton Nagy to Belgian Minister of Finance, Vincent Van Peteghem, in which he asked Belgium to unfreeze the bank’s account with Euroclear, with no success.

To save the bank, Hungary could theoretically increase its shares, but according to Balkan Insight, that’s an unlikely option, as officials are aware that it is very risky to invest money in the IIB.

eu european union hungary flag priority areas
Read alsoOrbán cabinet: Hungary ‘freer than Western Europe’

No moneyback guarantee

If Russia increases its shares above 50 percent, then the IIB must leave Hungary and the EU as it would count as a Russian bank, which falls under the sanctions. In that case, it is also unclear, whether Hungary will be refunded. The Hungarian government invested HUF 74 billion (EUR 200 million) of public money in the IIB.

“Poland, which left the IIB after the democratic transition, did not get a dime back. There is simply no payback guarantee in the bank’s regulations” – says András Rácz, Senior Fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations to Balkan Insight. “Countries which joined the IIB should have known better.”

Hungarian expert: U.S. fed up with Hungary’s shuttle diplomacy

biden

The U.S. Embassy in Budapest published a recent press release last Friday. The press release states that Ambassador David Pressman has been in Washington to meet up with the Secretary of State and Senate leaders to discuss U.S.-Hungarian relations and Hungary’s role in Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The release was reviewed by Miklós Radványi, a Hungarian-born American journalist, who said that its tone and content suggested that an ultimatum was given to Orbán, hirklikk.hu reported.

Visit to Washington

As we wrote, Ambassador David Pressman travelled to Washington last week to consult with U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, as well as senior White House National Security Council officials and Senate leaders. The talks focused on the current state of U.S.-Hungarian relations.

Hirklikk.hu contacted Miklós Radványi to evaluate and interpret the press release. According to Radványi, it is rare for an ambassador to be called back home, and it is also unusual for the Senate to be involved in such consultations. According to the expert, they have made it clear that the U.S. executive and the legislature are of the same opinion about the Hungarian Prime Minister.

Warning from the United States

Although the press release does not mention the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Radványi believes that everyone is aware that the Hungarian government is equivalent to him, since it is only his word that counts in the country. The expert believes that with the announcement, the U.S. is making one last attempt to guide Orbán to the right path and warn him that NATO membership comes with obligations. According to him, the release indicates that the U.S. has had enough of the Hungarian government’s shuttle diplomacy between NATO and Russia.

There is no doubt that this is a very tough ultimatum for Orbán,

the expert says.

Since the release mentions the Russian-Ukrainian war, Radványi reckons that Hungary is facing a tough message. This means that if Orbán doesn’t make amends, the U.S. will take action against him. Since the Senate (the upper house of Congress) was also involved in the meeting, there would certainly be a unified response against Hungary. Since the Congress handles the finances, it is possible that they will cease all financial aid if Orbán does not change his policies. Radványi concludes that this is a “very tough ultimatum.” He deems that the involvement of the Senate suggests that the United States is collectively disapproving of Orbán’s shuttle diplomacy. Unless Orbán revises his policy, there will be serious “political, economic and financial consequences.”

Read alsoHungarian forint fell sharply, not helped by the news from America

Foreign minister: increasing French participation in Paks nuclear power plant 2

france flamanville nuclear energy plant

Hungary is in talks on increasing the role of France’s Framatome in the expansion of the Paks nuclear power plant with a view to preventing the German government from being able to block the delivery of control technology required for the project, the minister of foreign affairs and trade said in Flamanville on Monday.

The expansion of the Paks plant cannot succeed without cooperation with France, given that the control system for the new reactor blocks is being supplied by a French-German consortium, Péter Szijjártó said after inspecting Framatome’s nuclear plant being built in Flamanville, according to a ministry statement.

Szijjártó said it was “unfair” that the German government continued to block delivery of the system to Hungary, arguing that decisions concerning the energy mix fell under national competences and that energy security was a matter of sovereignty.

The government is therefore in talks on further increasing the role of France’s Framatome in the project so that Berlin cannot continue to block the delivery of control technology, Szijjártó said.

Hungary is expanding nuclear cooperation with France with a view to ensuring that the Paks plant uses western European control technology, he said.

Paks nuclear power plant
Read alsoHungary might operate small nuclear reactor with American technology

Meanwhile, the minister said the war in Ukraine and the sanctions imposed in response to the conflict had resulted in a global energy supply crisis, while the world is under increasing pressure to act on climate change.

The world will need safe, cheap and long-term energy supplies that also take into consideration environmental protection aspects, he said, adding that these goals could only be met by nuclear energy.

Hungary is a European leader in the area of nuclear energy and a member of the nuclear coalition that is “clearly led by France, which pursues a rational energy policy”, Szijjártó said.

He welcomed the cooperation between France and Hungary which he said would have “practical impacts”.

Heard about ’Orbán pizza’? Now get ready for ’Putin’s favourite’

We have written about a Hungarian pizzeria coming up with unusual and funny pizza concepts and names. One such is the Orbán pizza: a delicacy that will be available for a limited time at PizzaPhone Pizzéria in Kiskőrös, between 12 March and 19 March. However, a restaurant in Hajdúböszörmény now came up with an even more unusual pizza: Putin’s favourite. What do you think it includes? Read on to find out.

Want to try the Orbán pizza?

PM Viktor Orbán is to celebrate the start of the 1848 Hungarian revolution and freedom fight in Kiskőrös. The town is the birthplace of Sándor Petőfi, one the most popular Hungarian poets and a freedom fighter of 1848-1849. Kiskőrös’ PizzaPhone Pizzéria created the so-called Orbán pizza. Among the toppings of the new treat, you may find even orange, the symbol of Orbán’s governing Fidesz party.

The complete list of toppings of the Orbán pizza contains the following: BBQ, honey base, chicken breast strips, cheese, orange rings, jalapeno peppers. Want to try it? Make sure to go to PizzaPhone Pizzéria in Kiskőrös between 12 and 19 March.

Fancy tasting Putin’s favourite pizza?

There is no shortage of humorous Hungarian pizza bakers. Viktor Orbán is not the only one who inspired the pizza chefs, Index.hu reports. Russian President Vladimir Putin did too. The competitor of the Orbán pizza is now the one called Putin’s favourite.

The menu of the Beregszászi Restaurant and Event House in Hajdúböszörmény includes ‘Putin’s favourite pizza’. It is available with a

sour cream base and toppings of ham, shank, bacon, sheep’s cottage cheese and smoked cheese.

Restaurant named after Beregszász

Yes, you read that right: the restaurant in Hajdúböszörmény really is named after Beregszász. Beregszász (Berehove) is a town in Transcarpathia, Ukraine, located merely six kilometres from the Hungarian-Ukrainian border. Approximately half of the population in the town is Hungarian. People have been bringing means of humanitarian aid (power generators, durable foods, medicine and hygiene items) to Beregszász since the start of the war.

Budapest Airport passengers
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