Russia

Putin said he would tear Hungary away from NATO, but how would PM Orbán act?

viktor orbán in moscow putin

In an ultimatum before the start of the invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin spoke clearly about his aims in Eastern Europe concerning even Hungary. He wrote that NATO should stop expanding eastwards and return to its pre-May-1997 borders, which would mean withdrawing even from Hungary. Zsolt Németh, the Fidesz chairman of the Hungarian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, said if we were not NATO members, we would have to defend the country against a Russian attack.

Russia would challenge Hungarian sovereignty, says Orbán’s politician

Zsolt Németh talked in May about such concerns at a conference of the Hungarian Atlantic Council (MAT), saying that Russia would not like to invade Hungary. Instead, they would like to have a say in what Hungary does, how the country chooses its allies, what they represent in international forums and from where they buy weapons. Németh concluded that Russia would challenge Hungarian sovereignty if it could, but NATO, which is a defensive alliance, protects Hungary from becoming a victim of Moscow again.

PM Orbán and his government regularly say that if the Western bloc considered Putin’s rightful security concerns, the war in Ukraine would not have started. However, we know what Putin demanded from the “West” and that it would be catastrophic for Hungary if we agree with Zsolt Németh, who is also a member of Fidesz and always sits beside PM Orbán during the latter’s address at the free summer university of Tusványos in Romania.

Zsolt Németh Viktor Orbán and László Tőkés
Zsolt Németh (l) Viktor Orbán (c) and László Tőkés (r). Photo: FB/Zsolt Németh

NATO should withdraw from Hungary, said Putin

The Russian president “spoke” plainly in two documents, which can be regarded as ultimatums before the invasion of Ukraine. On 17 December, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs published the demands in the form of two draft treaties with NATO and the U.S., proposing limits on their influence and activities in Europe. They gave only one month for response, including even the Christmas and end-year festivities.

Among Putin’s demands were the end of further NATO enlargement, a ban on deploying intermediate-range missiles in areas from where they could reach Russian territories, and a ban on NATO military activity in Ukraine, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, or Central Asia. Moreover, it would have also banned the deployment of forces or weapons in countries that joined the alliance after May 1997. In practice, that would have meant NATO’s withdrawal from Hungary.

Hungary celebrates the 25th anniversary of its accession to NATO
Hungary celebrates the 25th anniversary of its accession to NATO. Photo: MTI

Russian security claims should not be forgotten

On his “peace mission” in July, PM Orbán talked about the Russian security claims and the distance between those demands and NATO’s willingness to comply with them. But the distance is not insurmountable, the Hungarian prime minister believed then. He said the parties should reach an agreement that guarantees peace, considers Russia’s security demands and is acceptable to NATO.

Some Hungarian politicians are continuously slamming the West for not providing help for the Hungarian anti-Soviet freedom fighters in 1956. The West stuck to its agreement with the Soviets concerning the division of most of the world into spheres of interest. And in that partition, Hungary was part of the Soviet bloc.

Suez Crisis revolution of 1956 North Korean
Anti-Communist and anti-Soviet protesters on the Margaret Bridge on 23 October 1956. Photo: www.facebook.com/pg/magyarforradalom1956

Great powers and their spheres of interest?

It seems the Hungarian government would support such a partition again, which would imply that some parts of Eastern Europe (e.g. Ukraine or part of it) are “untouchable” because they are Russian spheres of interest. However, that initiative could mean that, in the long run, Hungary will also fall into the hands of Russia (again). President Putin does not even try to hide that regaining (some) control over Eastern European states is part of his plan and demands.

Orbán Putin peace mission Slovakia
Orbán in Moscow in July with Putin. Photo: FB/Orbán

That is something we should consider before the foreseeable, Trump-initiated peace talks. The vast majority of the Hungarians are pro-EU and pro-NATO, and they would never accept becoming part of the Eastern bloc again. It might be comforting that the Orbán cabinet also regularly highlights that Hungary is and will remain a NATO and EU member despite all quarrels.

Read also:

  • PM Orbán: Trump will bring peace, anti-Russia sanctions should be abolished, Soros empire moved to Brussels – read more about the prime minister’s yesterday press briefing HERE
  • Hungary becomes regional distributor of Russian gas, generating windfall revenues

Hungary becomes regional distributor of Russian gas, generating windfall revenues

Hungary became the distributor of Russian gas in the region, generating high revenues for some companies

Hungary’s emergence as the regional distributor of Russian gas amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and escalating tensions between Russia and NATO has raised concerns, particularly for Slovakia. The arrangement has led to significantly higher costs for Slovakian consumers, while certain Hungarian companies are reaping substantial profits from the transactions.

Your only option is Hungary to buy Russian gas

Following the cessation of Russian gas transit via Ukraine to Central Europe on 1 January, the region now depends solely on the TurkStream pipeline. This pipeline, which enters Hungary near Kiskundorozsma from Serbia, has become the primary route for gas deliveries. Analysts suggest that Hungary’s long-standing strategy of fostering close energy and political ties with Russia has paid off in this new arrangement, as reported by Hvg.hu.

The Kiskundorozsma interconnector, with a capacity of 8.5 billion cubic metres, is fully utilised by Hungarian state-owned MVM and energy company MET. These entities manage gas trade, storage, and redistribution, selling Russian gas to Ukraine, Slovakia, and Austria. Serbia also rents Hungarian gas storage facilities, further enhancing Hungary’s geopolitical influence in the region.

Attila Holoda, a Hungarian expert on energy policy, explained that Hungarian Földgázszállító Ltd benefits from gas transit revenues, particularly in Slovakia. With 300,000 cubic metres of gas flowing northward each hour, the profits are significant. Slovakian consumers are now paying more for gas transiting through Hungary than they did for gas delivered via Ukraine.

Hungary became the distributor of Russian gas in the region, generating high revenues for some companies
Illustration. Photo: depositphotos.com

Slovaks face higher costs

Previously, Slovaks paid transit fees only at the Ukrainian-Slovakian border. Now, they must pay additional fees from the Serbian-Hungarian border, further increasing costs. Holoda criticised the Slovakian government for failing to negotiate an agreement with Ukraine to avoid such an unfavourable situation. Instead, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has prioritised discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Complicating matters, Fico’s strained relationship with the Polish government makes the prospect of receiving liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Poland unlikely. Even if feasible, this option would prove more expensive than the former Ukrainian transit route.

Gas energy oil Russia Hungary
Photo: FB

Hungary appears to be capitalising on this new arrangement. According to Szeretlek Magyarország, Slovakia is likely purchasing gas from capacities pre-reserved by Hungary, which were secured at a discounted rate of 10-15%. This strategic over-purchasing has allowed Hungarian companies to generate substantial profits, as Slovakia has no alternative but to buy Russian gas routed through Hungary.

Ukraine-Slovakia gas agreement on the horizon?

There remains a possibility that Ukraine and Slovakia could reach an agreement to restore gas transit between the two countries. Ukraine has suffered significant financial losses since the transit halt, with 85% of its transit revenues in 2024 tied to Russian gas flows, Szeretlek Magyarország points out.

However, Holoda speculated that Ukraine might resort to targeting the TurkStream compressor stations in Russia. These stations rely on Western technology, which could prove difficult for Russia to repair if damaged. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has emphasised that the safety of the TurkStream pipeline is a matter of national sovereignty for Hungary, underscoring its critical importance to the country’s energy security.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Orbán cabinet recommends Russian-developed code generator for Hungarian citizens’ data protection – UPDATED

Putin Orbán Russian gas disgraceful role

Hungarian government has introduced the Client Gate+ (Ügyfélkapu+) system and the Digital Citizenship Programme (DCP) mobile app yesterday, replacing the older and less secure Client Gate (Ügyfélkapu) system. While these updates are designed to enhance digital identification security, the government’s recommendation of a Russian-developed one-time code generator has raised some eyebrows, particularly given the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and tensions between NATO and Russia. UPDATE: the Russian code disappeared from the website. Please, scroll down for the latest updates.

A new, more secure Client Gate

As we summed up in THIS article, the previous Client Gate (Ügyfélkapu) system was plagued by weaknesses, notably its reliance on basic username and password credentials. The Orbán cabinet’s replacement, Client Gate+, integrates one-time codes generated via apps or desktop programmes alongside the traditional login methods. This dual-factor authentication aims to bolster data security, particularly for users without smartphones or tablets.

The Hungarian government recommends three authenticator apps for Android users (NISZ Authenticator, Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator) and two for iOS users (NISZ Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator). For desktop users, TOTP.APP and Verifyr are suggested alternatives.

Orbán cabinet recommends a Russia-developed code generator
Russia-developed code generator protecting Hungarians’ data? Source: depositphotos.com

Russian-developed code generator raises questions

One of these desktop solutions, TOTP.APP, has come under scrutiny. According to Telex, the programme includes a Russian-developed code in its background operations, with the code originating from the Russian company Yadro and linked to the domain counter.yadro.ru. While counters like these are commonly used to measure website traffic, the recommendation of a Russian-developed programme by Hungary—a NATO member—has raised eyebrows amidst geopolitical tensions.

Thorough investigation needed

A cybersecurity expert, speaking to Telex, stated that without a comprehensive analysis, it is impossible to determine whether the app poses a threat to Hungarian users. However, he criticised the government for recommending a Russian-developed code generator to its citizens. Upon examining the website’s archives via the Wayback Machine, he discovered that, until 2018, the site was available exclusively in Russian. Furthermore, in 2018, the app

Notably, the website lacks any data protection notices, leaving users in the dark about how their information is collected and safeguarded.

The Special Service for National Security did not confirm in their response whether the website had undergone a thorough examination. They stated only that TOTP.APP has been recommended by the Hungarian government since the launch of the Client Gate+ system in 2022. Additionally, they asserted that no complaints regarding its operation have been received.

National consultation website also ran Russian code.

This is not the first instance of controversy surrounding Russian-developed software in Hungary. In 2017, it emerged that the national consultation website employed code from Russian technology company Yandex to gather user statistics. According to 444.hu, the company was revealed in 2011 to share data with the Russian secret service.

At the time, the Government Information Centre insisted that users’ data and the opinions expressed on the site were strictly separated and could not be linked. The Centre described the analytical tools as a means to improve efficiency but acknowledged that one tool “could provide an opportunity for malevolent misinterpretation.” Consequently, developers were instructed to disable it.

UPDATE: Russian code disappeared, program for sale

According to Telex, the developer of the TOTP.APP deleted the Russian code from the site. Furthermore, he noted that anybody can buy the website for USD 20,000.

Read also:

  • Guest worker situation after regulations change in Hungary: What companies can expect – read more HERE
  • PM Orbán: Trump will bring peace, anti-Russia sanctions should be abolished, Soros empire moved to Brussels, Ukraine should not join the EU – details in THIS article

PM Orbán: Trump will bring peace, anti-Russia sanctions should be abolished, Soros empire moved to Brussels

PM Viktor Orbán interview

A new day will dawn on the West on Tuesday morning after US President-elect Donald Trump takes office and the “bitter, difficult, painful and failure-ridden four years” of the Democratic administration comes to an end, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told public radio.

Not surprising that US-Hungary relations hit rock bottom under Democrat leadership

Orbán said that the Democratic administration had got off to a “bad start” because “after all, they stole the presidency from Donald Trump”. “If they hadn’t cheated in 2020, Donald Trump would’ve stayed in office and then the Ukraine-Russia war doesn’t happen,” he said.

The prime minister said Democratic administrations were “always different” from Republican ones, arguing that Republicans “stand on a national foundation” while Democrats “are globalists” who enforced their interests through global organisations “like the Soros network”. “While not directly government organisations, these networks are connected to the US government,” he said.

PM Viktor Orbán interview
Photo: MTI

Orbán said Democrats put their economic interests before politics and had “strong world-bettering intentions”. “That’s when the world is flooded with migration and the related chaos, gender madness runs rampant … and they don’t hesitate to use war to meet their objectives, as they did in the Russia-Ukraine war,” he added.

Orbán said that Hungary-US relations “were expected” to hit rock bottom during a Democrat administration. The US did not extend the agreement on double taxation and made Hungarians’ travel into the US more difficult, “they harmed us wherever they could”, he said.

US sanctions strengthened minister’s position, says Orbán

Orbán said sanctions against Antal Rogán, the Hungarian cabinet minister, were “just the last, smallest story” in that process. “This has strengthened the minister’s position in Hungarian politics and the government to an unprecedented degree … if Antal Rogán, the minister responsible for national security services and the first vanguard in the protection of the nation’s sovereignty, is being penalised by a world power, that means he is doing his job well.”

PM Viktor Orbán interview
PM Orbán arriving to the interview. Photo: MTI

Orbán said President-elect Donald Trump‘s inauguration on Monday would be the “start of a new era”.

Commenting on the work of outgoing US ambassador David Pressman, Orbán said the US “has sent a thug here with the task of forcing Hungary into the globalist, liberal, Democrat canon that is pro-migration, pro-gender and ready to use war to spread the word and Western values in the world”. “The problem was that Hungary is not such a country,” that it has a 1,100-year history, “its own way and mission” that did not suffer “a thug coming here and telling us that this land is no longer ours, that others will come from the other side of the world to move into what we have worked for for 1,100 years,” Orbán said.

Pressman’s work was therefore “doomed to fail from the start”, he said. He said he had refused to meet the ambassador during his tenure: “His task was clear even when he arrived, and I didn’t want to assist to that.” Orbán said Hungarians were family friendly, and “can’t accept disdain and mockery of the traditional family model.”

Trump liberated America

He said he had an agreement with Trump to launch a “fantastic, long-ranging golden age in US-Hungarian relations that will be noticeable in everyday life, in pockets and families’ budgets”. Trump’s election victory had been a “prerequisite of the Hungarian economy’s flying start as early as this January”, as it had brought the possibility of peace and construction after three years of war destruction, Orbán said.

Orbán says President Trump will end the war in Ukraine Orbán cabinet
Photo: FB/Orbán

President-elect Trump had “liberated America” and US billionaire George Soros’s “forces” have retreated to Brussels, Orbán said.

“The single objective for us Europeans has to be to push them out of Brussels. If we fail to do this then Brussels will become the new Washington, continuing to pursue the policies of US Democrats, which goes against the interests of the European and the Hungarian people.”

He said the top foreign policy goal of 2025 had to be pushing the “Soros empire” out of Europe. Orbán said Hungary, which, he noted, “has always openly engaged in this conflict”, was likely to be the first country to drive out the “Soros empire”.

Soros empire in Brussels

“It’s time to set the record straight and wind up the networks endangering Hungarian sovereignty and send them packing,” Orbán said, adding he hoped that Hungary would not be alone in doing this. The prime minister said the number one priority was “taking funding away from them, or to be more precise, not giving it to them in the first place”.

“The Soros network today is funded in large part from the Brussels budget. We mustn’t tolerate this; this is our money, too,” he added.

Orbán said the biggest corruption scandal was that “George Soros has got Brussels in his pocket”. “The MEPs, Brussels bureaucrats and serious decision-makers are obviously bought and paid for,” he said, adding representatives of the “Soros network” paid regular visits to Brussels.

He said Hungary had to set an example in driving out the “Soros network”, adding that this was what the spring would be about.

George and Alex Soros
Father and son: George and Alex Soros. Photo: FB/Alexander Soros

Everyone talks about peace

As regards the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the EU, Orbán said its success had even been acknowledged by the government’s political opponents in Brussels.

He said that whereas at the start of the six-month presidency only the Vatican and Hungary had been talking about peace, today everyone was talking about it. “So we managed to get the issue of peace on the table and keep it there,” he added.

Orbán said that though the peace mission taken on by Hungary “was disproportionate to the country’s weight on the international stage”, it had still carried it out “as a Christian country and out of a moral duty”.

Trump will bring peace, Orbán believes

But, he added, it was now time for Donald Trump to “take up the torch” and “continue the difficult mission that is more in line with the weight of the United States”.

The second important result, he said, was Bulgaria and Romania’s accession to the Schengen area, noting the work done by himself, EU Affairs Minister Janos Boka and Interior Minister Sandor Pinter.

He noted that the EU entered into accession talks with Albania during the Hungarian presidency, and “the issue of the Western Balkans has been brought back into European politics alongside the Ukraine issue to which everything took a back seat”.

Meanwhile, he said the Hungarian presidency had managed to conclude important agreements concerning the issue of the bloc’s competitiveness, adding that Hungary had “punched above its weight” during its time at the helm of the Council of the EU.

Orbán warned that a new era was about to begin, so the most important consideration was for Brussels to adapt to the new situation, “primarily when it comes to the issue of war and peace as well as sanctions”.

Sanctions-free relationship with Russia needed

“It’s time we threw sanctions out the window and establish a sanctions-free relationship with the Russians,” the prime minister said, adding, however, that the signs coming from Brussels were “not encouraging at the moment”, and such a shift would take “one or two months”.

He said Ukraine’s accession to the European Union “would, for the time being, bring more dangers than opportunities from the point of view of Hungarians”.

He said “Ukraine can be dealt with” once the war had ended and the EU’s policy of sanctions concluded, “because it is a serious challenge, even a threat” to the European economy.

Ukraine’s accession as envisaged by the EU today would mean that “Hungarian, Polish, and even French farmers can close up shop”, he said, adding that such a move would require “sufficiently stringent regulations.”

Keep an eye on Brussels, Ukraine

Orbán said Ukraine “cannot stand on its own feet … it wouldn’t exist today without Western monies”. He said the country “has no economic activity that could be integrated into the European economy, there are only ruins”. At the same time, Ukraine’s agriculture, which remains productive, “is expressly clashing with the European economy rather than fitting in with it,” he said.

Orbán said that when discussing the Hungarian economy, it was important “to keep one eye on Ukraine and Brussels”.

Meanwhile, the prime minister said 2025 would be “the year of strengthening the middle class”.

Orbán said he expected a “tangible advance” for all strata of society in 2025 and said assistance would go to people who were still under the middle class threshold.

Orbán said the government’s most important goal was ensuring work for everyone, adding that the aim was achievable in 2025, pointing to the 81 percent employment rate among 20- to 65-year-olds, the fifth- or sixth-highest rate in Europe.

The government also aims to ensure incomes are enough to support families and pave the way for everybody to feel they are taking a step ahead, he added.

2025 will be fantastic

He said he expected 2025 to be a “fantastic year”, noting that 2024 had been about compensating for the losses inflicted on the country by the war in 2023, such as the “energy shock”. “But since we’ve done that, we have a good starting position for this year,” he added.

Orbán said the domestic savings rate was at 24 percent compared with the EU average of 14 percent, adding this meant that there was a “household financial savings system that can be mobilised for 2025”.

He said high energy prices were the biggest threat to the success of Hungary’s economic policy, so the aim was to ensure that Brussels did not pursue a sanctions policy that went counter to falling prices.

Orbán said that until expansion of Hungary’s Paks nuclear power plant was completed between 2030 and 2032, the country was vulnerable when it came to energy, so significant energy price increases could “thwart our economic plans”.

He also said Hungary could not carry out its economic plans unless the TurkStream natural gas pipeline was protected and kept running.

UPDATE: Opposition reactions

The opposition Tisza and Jobbik parties have criticised Prime Minister Viktor Orbán over his morning radio interview for “failing to touch on several important topics”, while the Democratic Coalition has said the prime minister “needs to be replaced together with his regime”.

Péter Magyar, the leader of the Tisza Party, said Orbán “got buried under his own lies during his weeks-long luxurious vacation in India”.

“While the prime minister talked about the fight against illegal migration, he made no mention of how he himself released 2,290 convicted people smugglers from Hungarian prisons,” Magyar said in a statement.

He said Orbán had also “failed to mention that the Hungarian economy is not off to a flying start, and all the important indicators are down”. He criticised the prime minister for not mentioning “the cost-of-living crisis they have pushed millions of Hungarians into”.

Magyar said food prices were “out of control again”, adding that food inflation in Hungary was 2.5 times the EU average over the last four years.

He vowed that his government would cut the VAT rate on fruits and vegetables, and eventually all basic foodstuffs, to 5 percent if Tisza won the election.

Opposition Jobbik criticised Orbán for “limiting his interview to talking about Trump, Soros and Ukraine”.

The party said in a statement that fuel prices and inflation were rising again, the forint was weakening, bank fees were up and the health-care sector was “falling deeper into crisis”.

They said Orbán had failed to offer any solutions to these problems in the interview.

Ferenc Gyurcsány, the leader of the leftist Democratic Coalition (DK), said his party agreed with “the assessment of the United States administration that Antal Rogan, the minister in charge of the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office, is corrupt.”

He said “the regime as a whole, including the prime minister” was corrupt, “but the regime cannot be banned from the US”.

Gyurcsány said “the regime’s … key elements and people cannot be ousted one by one” and “Orbán has to be replaced together with the regime”.

Read also:

  • Orbán did not receive an invitation to Trump’s inauguration, confirms Hungarian government – read more HERE
  • Guest worker situation after regulations change in Hungary: What companies can expect

Ukraine’s proposed ban on Russian oil transit raises concerns for Hungary and Slovakia

russian gas, gazprom Szijjártó

The Ukrainian parliament is considering a bill to halt the transit of Russian oil and gas through its territory, a move that could significantly impact Hungary and Slovakia. The opposition European Solidarity Party, led by former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, introduced the proposal, citing national security concerns and the desire to limit Russia’s revenues used to finance the ongoing war.

Key provisions of the bill

Registered as Bill No. 12380, the legislation seeks to prohibit Russian oil and gas transit through Ukraine’s infrastructure, including the Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline, which supplies Hungary and Slovakia. An accompanying resolution urges the Ukrainian government to develop a detailed cessation plan within 30 days and to implement the full transit halt within three months, Liga.net reports.

The bill, however, allows exceptions for obligations under international agreements or decisions by the European Union. In addition, it calls for assessing the economic, social, and environmental consequences of such a move and coordinating with international partners to mitigate diplomatic or economic fallout.

russian gas, gazprom Szijjártó Russian oil
Photo: depositphotos.com

Background: Hungary and Slovakia’s reliance on Russian oil

The Druzhba pipeline’s southern branch, exempted from the EU’s 2022 partial embargo on Russian oil, remains a crucial energy source for Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, G7 writes. While the Czech Republic plans to end its Russian oil imports by 2025, Hungary and Slovakia have not announced similar measures. In fact, both nations have increased their imports of Russian oil in recent years.

Hungary’s government has been vocal about its opposition to ceasing Russian energy imports, emphasising the economic challenges such a move would create. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó responded to the Ukrainian proposal by warning that Ukraine’s EU accession bid requires unanimous approval from member states, urging Ukraine not to jeopardise its relationship with EU countries through unilateral decisions.

Broader implications

The current agreement for Russian oil transit through Ukraine, signed by Ukrtransnafta and Russia’s Transneft, remains valid until 1 January 2030. However, the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine ceased on 1 January 2025, following the expiration of a separate contract between Gazprom and Naftogaz.

Energy analysts suggest that halting oil transit could have severe repercussions for Ukraine. While the proposal aims to weaken Russia’s economic footing, Ukraine itself relies on transit fees as a significant source of revenue. “Such a move could lead to substantial losses for Ukraine,” remarked Balázs Jarábik, an analyst at the Vienna Institute for Human Sciences.

EU’s energy transition

The EU plans to completely phase out Russian oil and gas imports by 2027, giving Hungary’s MOL Group enough time to adjust its refineries for alternative sources. However, Hungary’s government has shown little inclination to accelerate this transition. Despite the ambitious goals of the European Solidarity Party’s proposal, experts believe the bill is unlikely to pass. Some speculate that if Ukraine decides to halt oil transit, it may occur indirectly through technical disruptions rather than formal legislation.

Read also:

Featured image: depositphotos.com

Orbán cabinet: New golden age may dawn in American-Hungarian relations

Trump and Orbán American-Hungarian relations

American and Hungarian relations must be placed on a new foundation, a new golden age in bilateral relations may dawn, National Economy Minister Márton Nagy said in a post on social media on Monday.

Changes in American-Hungarian relations

Nagy said the government is eagerly awaiting the start of Donald Trump‘s presidential term. The government expects the new presidential term to bring an end to the Russian-Ukrainian war and that peace would mean physical and economic security and confidence for families and businesses, which could lead to increased consumption and investment.

The minister said the government sees four main areas for the rebuilding of relations, including restoring an agreement to avoid double taxation, easing visa rules, restarting direct flights between Budapest and the most important American cities like New York and Washington and achieving that the US is once again among the top three investors in Hungary. Nagy added that the Hungarian government is also awaiting the new American ambassador as “revenge and scheming” must come to an end.

Read also:

The world is astonished: Trump may meet Putin in Hungary

Trump may meet Putin in Hungary (Copy)

Vladimir Dzhabarov, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs and a Senator of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, believes Hungary would be ideal for President Trump and Putin to meet and discuss how to end the ongoing bloody conflict in Ukraine. According to Trump, Putin asked for the meeting.

Orbán cabinet believes Trump will bring peace to Ukraine

President Trump said during the election campaign that he would put an end to the ongoing violent conflict in Ukraine in no time if elected. As Trump’s inauguration draws near, it seems he will be able to meet that promise since he said President Putin asked for a meeting, although he did not specify what topics they would discuss or when that may happen. Trump only said that the meeting is now being set up.

According to Blikk, a Hungarian tabloid, they may meet in Budapest, Hungary, or at least that is what Vladimir Dzhabarov, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs and a Senator of Russia also serving as the Representative of the legislative (representative) authority of the Jewish Autonomous Region, said in an interview.

The Hungarian government is looking forward to Trump’s inauguration. Orbán endorsed Trump back in 2015, making him the first country leader to do so. Before the 2024 election campaign, Trumpist Republican politicians regularly travelled to Hungary, took part in different conferences, CPACs, etc. (more about the – financial – background of their bromance in THIS article). We covered yesterday that Orbán’s chief spin doctor, Árpád Habony, regularly travelled to Florida to network with the Trump team. He also worked e.g. in the Georgian campaign for the pro-Russia Georgian Dream movement.

Hungary spent a lot of money on creating and improving links with the Trump team

Orbán regularly said during the election campaign that Trump is the only pro-peace candidate for the presidency and all who want to bring peace to Ukraine should endorse, support, and vote for him. Since the Hungarian government has been accusing the Hungarian opposition of being pro-war for years, the fight for the White House became a crucial domestic issue in Hungary.

Because of the Orbán-Trump “bromance” and Orbán’s smooth relationship with Putin, Budapest can be a good place for the two leaders to meet. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Russian press that the USA has not yet officially asked for a meeting, which is unsurprising since its president will still be Biden for eight more days, who would not like to meet with Putin.

Trump may meet Putin in Hungary, Russian Senator says

Meanwhile, Senator Dzhabarov told a journalist in an interview that Hungary could be an ideal venue for a Trump-Putin summit. He believes PM Orbán could guarantee the safety of the two world leaders. He added the two parties should meet on “neutral” ground. Before, Finland could have been a perfect place, but they joined NATO and became very aggressive towards Russia. He did not mention in the interview that Hungary is also a NATO member state.

Trump may meet Putin in Hungary (Copy)
Trump and Putin in 2019 in Osaka. Photo: PrtScr/Youtube

Dzhabarov said the two world leaders should meet because there are lots of questions they need to discuss. In the last four years, the Russian-American relationship deteriorated, so they must discuss. He added, however, that nobody can say when such a summit could be organised.

Donald Trump appointed Keith Kellogg as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia in November. Kellogg said Trump aimed to find a solution to the war in Ukraine in his first 100 days in power.

Before, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed his country’s readiness to provide a platform for negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. “If it comes to that – why not”, Putin evaluated the offer in December.

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Will Hungary make Romania Moscow-dependent by gigantic gas deal? Romanian secret services may join the “game”

PM Orbán and PM Ciolacu in Budapest after snowfall Romania

The Romanians do not want to buy or even let in Russian gas because they do not want to become dependent on Moscow, Romania’s energy minister, Sebastian Burduja, made his government’s standpoint clear when speaking to Financial Times. Hungarian MVM announced they would buy 68% of German E.ON Energie Romania shares, but it seems the Romanian government will intervene and prevent the transaction due to MVM’s Russian connections. Among others, Hungarian state-owned MVM is the biggest purchaser of Russian gas in Hungary, and they are managing the expansion of the Paks II NPP, built using Russian technology and money. Will MVM’s gigantic gas deal be killed?

Hungarian state-owned MVM’s gigantic gas and electricity deal

After the announcement of the possible acquisition by Hungarian MVM, the Romanian government came under political attacks, which Energy Minister Burduja dismissed by saying that the transaction was incomplete. The Romanian government also issued a new decree that authorised them to reject the deal after a thorough investigation. Burduja promised to conduct such a review on the matter, and, provided they find anything suspicious, block it. To calm citizens, he added that the critical infrastructure was not involved in the transaction.

It seems that MVM wants to close the business ASAP. Based on market information, the cost they offered, allegedly EUR 205 million, for 68% of the Romanian E.ON’s shares, is well over their market price. As a result, local companies like Romgaz, OMV Petrom or Hidroelectrica did not enter the competition. Transtelex added that the MVM purchase had two aims.

First, they would like to get a direct link to Romanian consumers. In the gas market, that would mean supplying 40% of the Romanian customers, while in the electricity market, that rate is 15%. Second, they would like to secure that market for Russian gas. As a result, we can say that the deal is of geopolitical importance for Hungary.

PM Orbán offered to set up a joint committee

The two prime ministers talked about MVM’s possible transaction in Romania when they met in Bucharest last December. Orbán and Ciolacu met two more times last year: in July in Bucharest, and in November in Budapest.

PM Orbán and PM Ciolacu in Budapest after snowfall Romania gigantic gas deal
PM Orbán and Romanian PM Ciolacu above the snowy Budapest on 22 November. Photo: MTI

We have no information on what they discussed about the acquisition, but Energy Minister Burduja seems committed to keeping the transaction under his magnifying glass and making it transparent. PM Orbán said the same after meeting with Ciolacu and proposed the setup of a joint committee to oversee the transaction, calm nerves, answer all questions and satisfy additional needs. Burduja told the Financial Times that even Romanian secret services would be involved in the MVM’s risk evaluation process.

Will Hungary make Romania Moscow-dependent by a gigantic gas deal?

Prominent Romanian politicians are concerned due to the possible deal because they believe MVM would supply Russian gas to their Romanian customers, which would make the country dependent on Moscow. Burduja said that a similar investigation baulked the Spanish Talgo acquisition by the Dunakeszi Járműjavító, due to the Hungarian company’s Russian ties.

According to 444.hu, Hungarian state-owned MVM is the biggest Hungarian purchaser of Russian gas, and they manage the Russian expansion of the Paks II NPP, as well. MVM told media outlets that they cooperated with the Romanian authorities but they did not want to make any additional comments on the matter.

Read also:

  • Romanian PM Ciolacu praises PM Orbán’s efforts concerning Schengen accession
  • Spain blocks Hungarian Talgo train factory deal over Orbán’s Russia ties

Russian gas supplies through Ukraine to Europe face sudden halt – Unexpected opportunity for Hungary?

russian gas supply, gazprom

The halt of Russian gas supplies through Ukraine has shaken Europe’s energy landscape, but Hungary’s strategic investments in the Turkish Stream pipeline and interconnectors have positioned it as a key transit hub. With its gas system tripling in value, Hungary could capitalise on this shift if it improves its regulatory environment.

Russian gas supplies face sudden halt

Index reports that Russian gas supplies from Ukraine to Europe have come to a sudden halt, dramatically shaking up the region’s energy dynamics. Hungary, in particular, has seen the value of its gas system triple almost overnight, according to a market insider. This shift follows Gazprom’s announcement on 1 January that it can no longer transport gas through Ukraine due to legal and technical constraints, forcing the pipeline to shut down.

russian gas energy hungary
Illustration: depositphotos.com

Ukraine has said it’s willing to reopen the route, but only if the gas isn’t Russian and payments are postponed until the war ends. Meanwhile, Hungary still gets Russian gas through the Turkish Stream pipeline. The disruption has also uncovered long-hidden financial details, with Ukraine losing USD 800 million (EUR 774 million) a year and Russia taking a massive USD 6 billion (approximately EUR 5.8 billion) hit. Amid this geopolitical turmoil, Hungary finds itself in a position to make the most of this unexpected opportunity.

Tension is rising in Slovakia too

The halt in Russian gas supplies through Ukraine has caused economic turmoil across Europe, with Slovakia losing an estimated USD 600 million (EUR 580 million) annually in transit fees and tensions rising over Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s visit to Moscow, which angered Ukrainian nationalists. While Austria and Slovakia feel the brunt of the contract’s termination, Hungary has shifted to the Turkish Stream pipeline. The EU, once supportive of previous agreements, is now hesitant to back extensions, leaving Europe to consider three options: replacing Russian gas with LNG, sourcing Azeri gas via Ukraine, or negotiating a new agreement between the EU, Ukraine, and Russia.

Hungary still relies on Russian gas

The disruption of Russian gas supplies has escalated risks, with Ukraine seizing the Suzda metering station and concerns that pipelines could become military targets. Despite this, Hungary remains reliant on Russian gas, securing 6.7 billion cubic metres this year through a long-term contract signed in 2021. At the St Petersburg Gas Forum, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó emphasised the physical necessity of energy supply over ideology and reiterated Hungary’s commitment to diversifying routes while ensuring competitive pricing.

russian gas, gazprom Szijjártó
Photo: depositphotos.com

Hungary’s unexpected opportunity

Hungary’s strategic role in the transport of Russian gas to Europe has grown significantly following the phasing out of Nord Stream pipelines and the shutdown of the Russian-Ukrainian-Slovak transit. The Turkish Stream pipeline, entering the EU via Hungary’s Serbian border, remains the sole route for Russian gas to Europe. Recent investments in interconnectors, including a Hungarian-Slovenian agreement in 2023, have further enhanced Hungary’s gas infrastructure, tripling its value. Market experts suggest Hungary could become a major gas trading hub if it improves regulatory predictability and reduces trader-deterring fees like the surveillance charge of the MEKH (Hungarian Energy & Utilities Regulatory Agency). With its strengthened position, Hungary has the potential to become a regional leader in the gas market.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Ukraine’s bold offer to replace Hungary in the EU and NATO

orbán zelenskyy ukraine nato eu

Ukraine has expressed its willingness to take Hungary’s place in the European Union and NATO if Budapest continues to prioritise Russia’s interests over those of its Western allies. The statement, made by Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, has sparked discussions about Hungary’s controversial stance on key geopolitical issues.

Hungary’s Russia-friendly policies under scrutiny

According to Sybiha, Hungary’s policies often reflect a pro-Russian agenda, including hindering the access of U.S. energy resources to European markets, Magyar Hírlap wrote based on lenta.ru. Ukraine has accused the Hungarian government of using politically motivated narratives to justify its actions domestically, especially regarding energy security and EU-Russia relations.

In a separate statement to Jevropejiszka Pravda, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed Hungary’s claims that Ukraine’s decision to halt Russian gas transit from 2025 would harm European energy security. Instead, they emphasised that energy-related problems in Europe stem from Russia’s long-standing weaponisation of resources to manipulate governments and destabilise markets.

Ukraine positions itself as a reliable EU and NATO candidate

According to Privátbankár, Ukraine reaffirmed its commitment to the EU and NATO, contrasting its stance with Hungary’s. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry asserted that if Hungary chose to align with Russia or other organisations like the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) or the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), Ukraine would gladly step in to fill the void.

Highlighting successful diversification efforts by other European countries, Ukraine criticised Hungary for failing to reduce its dependence on Russian energy. They argued that Hungary’s actions hinder broader European energy independence, especially regarding partnerships with the U.S. and Middle Eastern suppliers.

Hungarian response and diplomatic tensions

Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó, reacted sharply to Ukraine’s assertions. In a Facebook post, he hinted at Hungary’s potential to veto Ukraine’s EU membership bid, signalling that tensions between the two countries are unlikely to ease soon. Ukraine’s bold statements reflect its desire to solidify its position as a dependable Western ally, especially amid ongoing conflicts with Russia. Meanwhile, Hungary’s balancing act between East and West continues to draw criticism, both regionally and globally.

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Breaking the myth: Russian gas costs Hungary more than alternatives

russian gas energy hungary

Hungary’s heavy reliance on Russian gas, rooted in Cold War-era infrastructure, has made the country politically and economically vulnerable. While neighbouring countries have significantly reduced their dependence on Russian energy, Hungary has taken a different approach, maintaining high levels of imports despite the growing evidence that Russian gas is not cheaper than Western alternatives.

Others recognised the problem in time

Hungary’s persistent reliance on Russian gas has increasingly drawn criticism, especially as other Central European countries have successfully diversified their energy sources. According to Piac és Profit, rooted in infrastructure developed during the Cold War, this dependency has exposed Hungary to economic and political risks. While the collapse of the Eastern Bloc left many countries grappling with similar challenges, most have since recognised and mitigated these vulnerabilities.

The Baltic states, for example, began severing ties with Russian energy in 2014, following the annexation of Crimea. Slovakia, too, quickly cut its Russian gas imports by 44% within a year. By contrast, Hungary’s energy strategy has remained heavily dependent on Russian imports, even as Poland and the Czech Republic almost entirely eliminated direct purchases after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022.

Infrastructure development is key

Countries that moved away from Russian gas achieved this through infrastructure development, such as building LNG terminals, adopting renewable energy sources, and reducing energy-intensive industries. Hungary, however, has chosen a divergent path. The government initially justified this dependence by claiming Russian gas was cheaper, a narrative disproven as prices have climbed higher than those of Western alternatives.

russian gas, gazprom Szijjártó
Photo: depositphotos.com

Economic data reveal the consequences of Hungary’s choices. From 2022 to 2024, nations like Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia—all of which reduced their reliance on Russian gas—reported higher GDP growth rates than Hungary. This suggests that moving away from Russian energy need not hinder economic development.

Hungary’s access to needed funds limited

Transitioning away from Russian gas in Hungary would require significant steps, including scaling back energy-intensive industries such as battery production, exemplified by the CATL factory in Debrecen, which consumes more electricity than the entire residential population of its county. Additionally, large-scale investments in infrastructure and energy efficiency are essential.

While the European Union’s REPower program offers support for such initiatives, Hungary’s access to these funds is hindered by ongoing rule-of-law disputes. Without substantial political will, Hungary’s dependence on Russian gas appears set to continue, despite its economic disadvantages and the successful energy transitions of its neighbours.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Is the opening of Russian chain store Mere in Hungary not so certain after all?

mere russian discount chain hungary

Russian discount retailer Mere has outlined bold plans to enter Hungary’s retail market, aiming to open 200 stores within three years and rival top chains like Lidl. However, repeated delays, regulatory hurdles, and a lack of visible progress have cast doubt on Mere’s opening in Hungary.

Mere’s ambitious plans in Hungary

As VG reports, last April, reports emerged in the Hungarian press that the Russian-backed discount retailer Mere was planning to expand into Hungary. Based on an email sent in February to potential business partners, the Russian chain store outlined ambitious plans to open 20 stores in Budapest and its suburbs by mid-2025, aiming for 200 stores nationwide within three years, with a projected turnover of EUR 700 million.

Such figures would position the Russian chain among Hungary’s top 10 retail chains, comparable to Lidl, which took 15 years to achieve similar results. However, neither the Hungarian government nor the local market was aware of these plans, sparking scepticism. Insider sources later confirmed Mere’s intentions, albeit on a smaller scale, with plans for 15 stores, starting in Budapest, Vác, and Szeged, subject to regulatory approval.

Russian discount store Mere in Serbia
The discount chain in Serbia. Photo: Depositphotos.com

Regulatory hurdles?

Last spring, Mere allegedly began preparing the extensive documentation required to comply with Hungary’s “plaza ban,” which mandates special approval for commercial properties over 400 square metres. The Hajdú-Bihar County Government Office, responsible for granting exemptions, was anticipated to make a decision on the Russian chain’s plans by summer 2024. However, no progress was made by year-end. In a statement, the office confirmed that TS Retail Ltd, Mere’s Hungarian subsidiary, had not submitted any permit applications. This raised questions about the feasibility of the Russian discount chain’s promised expansion into Hungary.

Uncertainty grows

TS Retail Ltd, founded in early 2023, reported no sales and a tax loss of HUF 10 million (EUR 24,167) that year. Owned by Serbia-based Hung Trade DOO Beograd, whose proprietors are linked to Mere in Russia, the subsidiary was expected to manage the chain’s Hungarian operations. Despite job advertisements for the new stores, no construction permits have been filed. With no stores opened by 2024, the chain’s ambitious plans for a significant presence in Hungary appear to be on indefinite hold.

Will the Russian chain ever open stores in Hungary?

The Russian chain’s entry into Hungary remains uncertain after repeated delays, missing four launch dates, the most recent in December 2024. Originally planned before the pandemic, the project was revived in late 2023 but has yet to materialise, casting doubt on the seriousness of the retailer’s intentions. If Mere does open, it promises to introduce a unique retail model. The Russian chain is planning to cater to Hungary’s price-sensitive consumers.

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PM Orbán’s surprise gift: A message from Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent festive greetings to several foreign leaders as 2025 approaches, according to the latest Kremlin statement. In an unexpected turn of events, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has received a personal message from Vladimir Putin, despite the likelihood that nations deemed “unfriendly” by Russia would typically be excluded from such gestures.

The Russian leader classifies as ‘unfriendly’ countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia or have strongly opposed Moscow in foreign policy. According to Index, the Russian leader classifies as ‘unfriendly’ countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia or have strongly opposed Moscow in foreign policy.

For the third year in a row, the leaders of countries on the list, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, did not receive New Year greetings from Putin. This practice contrasts sharply with the Russian president’s previous tradition of sending messages in a spirit of even broader engagement.

PM Orbán
Photo: FB/Orbán

Hungary’s exceptional situation

Hungary’s status in December remained unchanged on the list of “unfriendly” countries, but the country still received special treatment. Vladimir Putin’s Christmas and New Year greetings to the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán indicate that maintaining relations between the two countries is an important aspect of Russian diplomacy. This gesture may indicate an openness on the part of Moscow to maintaining bilateral relations regardless of Hungary’s official classification.

However, Putin’s festive greetings were not only addressed to Viktor Orbán. Among the recipients are prominent personalities and leaders such as Pope Francis, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and former Cuban President Raúl Castro have also received messages, showing that Putin is paying attention not only to current leaders but also to former leaders and symbolic figures.

Putin’s plan

While Putin’s Christmas messages are in the realm of diplomatic gestures, the Russian leader’s strategic goals are much broader. According to a security expert at the University of Buckingham, Putin has not abandoned his plan to restore the Soviet Union’s power structure and sphere of influence. This strategy extends to countries that joined NATO after 1997, including Hungary.

Orbán Putin visit Russian cyber attacks
Photo: www.facebook.com/OrbánViktor

The British professor warns that the threat of Russian expansionism cannot be ignored. In his view, US President Donald Trump’s idea of compromising with Russia to end the war in Ukraine would be a major strategic mistake. Such an agreement could strengthen Putin’s resolve to pursue his aggressive goals of weakening NATO and influencing European countries.

The sharp contrast between the Russian president’s festive greetings and his geopolitical objectives reflects the duality of Moscow’s strategy. While Putin tries to cultivate relations with certain leaders through friendly gestures, his basic policy remains one of power expansion. Hungary’s special position in this dynamic raises further questions about the future of relations between the two countries. This example clearly shows that behind the symbolic gestures of diplomacy, it is always worth considering the underlying political intentions.

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Moscow unexpectedly replaced the head of Russian Orthodoxy in Hungary, Metropolitan Hilarion

metropolitan hilarion viktor orban

Based on Hungarian media reports, Metropolitan Hilarion lived a luxurious life in Hungary as the head of the Russian Orthodoxy here and a former second-in-command of the Russian Orthodox Church. He owned a EUR 2.15 million villa, a seashore villa in France, an expensive wine collection, etc. Moscow removed him from Hungary following a sexual abuse scandal.

Metropolitan Hilarion sent to Czechia

As we covered in THIS article, a former subordinate of Metropolitan Hilarion, Georgy Suzuki, reported the head of the Russian Orthodoxy in Hungary to the police for sexual abuse. He said the metropolitan convinced him to move to his EUR 2.15 million Vácduka mansion. There, he had to share the same room and bed with his superior.

Mr Suzuki said they were not involved in sexual intercourse, but sometimes he had to lie on the bed naked with the church leader. Since the circumstances were unbearable, he fled home to his family in Japan. However, first, Mr Suzuki robbed the Orthodox Diocese building in Budapest. He took EUR 30,000 and church valuables in January.

Hilarion (Grigory Valerievich Alfeyev) said that the young man was incited by his mother to try to blackmail him, that the accusations were unfounded, and that he would sue him.

The news about the metropolitan’s luxury life and alleged sexual misconduct broke in July, but seemingly nothing happened afterwards.

Moscow replaces church leader

Yesterday, Telex wrote that Moscow replaced Hilarion and sent him to Karlovy Vary in Czechia to serve in the Orthodox Church of Saint Peter and Paul. Meanwhile, a new leader will come to Hungary. It seems that the decision was so sudden that there was not enough time to name and send the new Orthodox church leader to Hungary.

Hilarion was second-in-command of the Russian Orthodox Church when he was sent away following a similar sudden decision to become the new head of the Hungarian Russian Orthodox Church. Nobody ever explained why he could not continue his work as the right hand of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.

Hungarian press discovered in July that Hilarion received Hungarian citizenship and passport three months after his arrival, but the Hungarian government refused to share its reasons referring to national security interests.

Telex wrote that the Russian Orthodox Church began an investigation against Metropolitan Hilarion and suspended him in July. As an explanation, they said that evidence of financial and personal misconduct was found. The church leadership deprived him of all positions then.

Orbán Putin peace mission Slovakia
PM Orbán and President Putin in Moscow in July. Photo: FB/Orbán

Hilarion met with PM Orbán at least once

Hilarion was an important mediator between the Western and Russian Orthodox Churches and had connections to Hungarian politicians too, which is evidenced by the fact that in 2019, he was awarded the Central Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit by Deputy PM Zsolt Semjén, and in 2023, he met Pope Francis during his visit to Hungary. Moreover, based on media reports, Hungarian public persons and Russian oligarchs visited him in his villa.

He met Viktor Orbán at least once, in 2019, but there were probably more occasions of encounter. According to an audio recording given to Novaya Gazeta by Mr Suzuki, Hilarion said he needed to keep an expensive collection of wines to give as a gift to people like PM Orbán when they meet.

metropolitan hilarion viktor orban
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán meets Metropolitan Hilarion at the Carmelite Monastery on 6 September 2019. MTI/Prime Minister’s Press Office

Read also:

  • 18+: Hilarion, head of Russian Orthodoxy in Hungary, accused of sexual misconduct – read more HERE
  • End of Orbán-Putin partnership? Russian President can start peace talks in Slovakia, not in Hungary – read more in THIS article

End of Orbán-Putin partnership? Russian President can start peace talks in Slovakia, not in Hungary

Orbán Putin peace mission Slovakia

Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters at a press briefing in St. Petersburg that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed his country’s readiness to provide a platform for negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. “If it comes to that – why not”, Putin evaluated the offer. The Hungarian government offered multiple times Budapest as a venue for peace talks.

Peace talks may start in Slovakia, which Putin called neutral

“If it comes to that – why not. Because Slovakia takes such a neutral position, from our point of view. This is an acceptable option for us,” he said about Fico’s offer to provide a platform for negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.

Orbán Putin peace mission Slovakia
Photo: FB/Orbán

Expressing that Russia has always been in favor of deliveries of natural gas to Europe, Putin said that they have also been for “depoliticizing economic issues,” indicating Moscow’s readiness to supply gas via neighboring Poland.

The Russian president went on to remind Ukraine’s decision of not to extend the contract between Moscow and Kyiv on gas transit to Europe which is set to expire on 1 January.

“They (Ukraine) are pecked from the hand, as I have already said, by Europe, because without European support Ukraine cannot even exist, let alone fight. But now they are punishing the same Europe by closing the transit contract for the supply of our gas to Europe,” he went on to say.

He also said that it would not be possible to renew the contract before the New Year as it is “impossible to conclude it in 3-4 days.”

Kremlin ready for peace talks

Moscow remains open to resolving the conflict in Ukraine through negotiations, but Kyiv continues to reject this option, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday. Due to the lack of progress on Ukraine’s readiness for talks, Russia continues its “special military operation,” Peskov told reporters during a press briefing in Moscow.

“We are focused on achieving all objectives necessary to ensure our nation’s security,” he stressed. Commenting on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán prediction about the end of the conflict next year, “either through a peace agreement or the defeat of one side,” Peskov said: “The dynamics of the fighting speak for themselves. We are advancing”, the Turkish Anadolu News Agency wrote.

In 1994, Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom guaranteed Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty in the existing borders in the Budapest Memorandum.

President Zelenskyy slammed Fico for his offering and said Slovakia helped Russia fill its war coffers by continuing to buy Russian energy.

Read also:

  • Putin’s blacklist snubs Hungary, includes Poland among nations of ‘destructive ideology’ – continue reading HERE
  • Hungarian PM Orbán blackmailed by Putin? – read more HERE

Source: Anadolu News Agency

Air traffic ceased to Russian cities following tragedy

Air traffic ceased to Russian cities following tragedy

Citing security concerns following this week’s crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane in the region, Kazakh and Azerbaijani airlines on Friday both suspended flights to a number of Russian cities.

Kazakh and Azerbaijani airlines suspended flights to Russian cities

Kazakh air carrier Qazaq Air announced the temporary suspension of flights between the Kazakh capital Astana and Yekaterinburg, Russia, the Turkish Anadolu News Agency wrote.

“Qazaq Air has decided to suspend flights on the Astana-Yekaterinburg route from December 28, 2024, to January 27, 2025, prioritizing passenger and crew safety based on an ongoing risk assessment,” the company said.

Air traffic ceased to Russian cities following tragedy
Photo: FB/Qazaq Air

Flights to Omsk and Novosibirsk, both in Siberia, will continue as they meet safety standards. The route to Yekaterinburg may resume following a reassessment, the airline added.

Several hours later, Azerbaijan Airlines announced the suspension of flights to seven Russian cities.

“Taking into account the initial data from the investigation of the Embraer 190 plane crash on Dec. 25, as well as potential flight safety risks, flights to Mineralnye Vody, Sochi, Volgograd, Ufa, Samara, Grozny and Makhachkala will be suspended from Dec. 28 until the final conclusion of the proceedings,” the company’s statement read.

Passengers with tickets to the affected destinations are entitled to a full refund or a free ticket exchange, it said.

The airline will continue operating flights to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Astrakhan, Kazan, and Novosibirsk, adhering to all applicable safety requirements and regulations, it said.

On Wednesday an Azerbaijan Airlines flight was traveling from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to Grozny in Russia’s Chechen Republic when it crashed near Aktau, a city on the Caspian coast, with 67 people onboard.

Kazakh officials said 38 people were killed in the crash while 29 survived.

Ongoing investigations

Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan both launched investigations into the accident.

On Thursday, senior Azerbaijani officials confirmed to Anadolu that the crash was caused by a Russian missile system.

But Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, maintained that the crash was likely caused by a bird strike which forced the aircraft to divert to Aktau. The plane had departed Baku for Grozny but veered off course over the Caspian Sea before the crash.

Kazakh authorities and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev called for restraint in speculation, noting that bad weather may have played a role in the flight’s diversion.

The crash occurred amid heightened activity of Russian air defenses targeting Ukrainian drones in the region. Public flight data shows GPS jamming in the area, further fueling questions. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated that conclusions must await the official investigation.

Read also:

  • How Romania’s crisis made Hungarian politicians acknowledge Russian threats – read more HERE
  • Hungarian woman found dead in the UK: 61-year-old man arrested for murder

How Romania’s crisis made Hungarian politicians acknowledge Russian threats

PM Orbán talked about the importance of abolishing the EU's anti-Russia sanctions

On the 6th of December, Romania’s Constitutional Court annulled the first round of the November presidential election, which was won by Călin Georgescu, a far-right populist pro-Russian candidate. Georgescu was particularly active in his campaign on TikTok, where he spread polarising and provocative messages.

According to reports by Romanian intelligence services and state authorities, the campaign was aided by secret Russian funding and financial irregularities. Tens of thousands of pseudo-profiles and nearly a hundred paid influencers were involved in promoting the candidate. The Constitutional Court’s decision was a precedent: the annulment of the results of a democratic election was a rare and unprecedented event in the region.

PM Viktor Orbán
Photo: FB/Orbán

The second round of elections is expected to take place in March 2025, but the campaign has already sparked much controversy, particularly over the effectiveness of Russian disinformation techniques and the manipulation of social media platforms.

Hungarian reactions: relativisation and concern

According to Telex, in Hungary, political reactions initially put the significance of the events in Romania into perspective. Speaking at a forum on the 5th of December, László Kövér, the speaker of parliament, claimed that criticism of Russian intervention was a double standard. According to him, while Russia’s support is a scandal, other foreign actors – such as groups linked to George Soros – treat similar activities as democracy-building. At the same time, Kövér criticised Georgescu’s political past, comparing it to the fascist movements between the two world wars.

On 12 December, Gergely Gulyás, the minister in charge of the prime minister’s office, was more cautious. He said the Hungarian government was not taking sides in Romania’s domestic political processes, but described the Constitutional Court’s ruling as a new chapter in the European rule of law. Gulyás suggested that the review of the election results could set a precedent whereby state authorities could arbitrarily annul elections.

By the end of December, the rhetoric of Hungary’s political leadership had changed significantly. Viktor Orbán and László Kövér no longer put the issue of Russian interference into perspective, but spoke of it as a serious threat. In his annual cabinet briefing, Orbán said that Romania had gained valuable experience in defending itself against this kind of interference and that Hungary wanted to learn from it. He asked the Romanian government to share information on the technologies and methods used.

Orbán and Kövér placed particular emphasis on the technological dimension. László Kövér said that the manipulation of social media, the use of algorithms and disinformation from abroad posed a serious threat to democratic processes. These threats “must be thoroughly prepared for”, he said, and the example of Romania highlights the vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.

The political and technological aspects of the Russian intervention

At the end of December, the Hungarian government acknowledged the seriousness of the Russian attempt to influence the country, but shifted its focus from analysing political intentions to the technological background. Orbán’s and Kövér’s statements indicated that the Hungarian leadership considered the technical aspects of the interference to be the most relevant for prevention.

MOL Putin Lukoil Russia
Source: Pixabay

Although Romanian and US intelligence clearly blamed Russia for the manipulation, Hungarian government communication avoided mentioning specific responsibility. Instead, Orbán raised issues such as the methods and means of manipulation in virtual space. He stressed that it is vital for Hungary to develop its technological infrastructure and cybersecurity to protect democratic elections from such external influences.

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Hungary’s MOL set to displace Russia in the Balkan oil race

bulgaria flag

At his end-of-year press conference, the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán highlighted a unique economic opportunity: Russia’s Lukoil is putting up for sale one of the most important oil refineries in the Balkans, Burgas Neftochim. Hungary’s MOL is also taking part in the bidding and, as the only EU bidder, the prime minister believes it has a good chance of success. This transaction could be a significant step for Hungary, not only economically but also geopolitically.

According to Telex, Burgas Neftochim is one of the largest and most modern oil refineries in the Balkans, capable of processing seven million tonnes of oil per year. The refinery uses mainly oil from the Black Sea, transported by tanker, and plays a strategic role in the region’s energy supply. Lukoil bought the plant in 1999 and has since made a number of improvements, but the company’s position in Bulgaria has declined in recent years.

MOL
Source: Facebook / MOL

If MOL is successful in acquiring the refinery, it would not only expand its interests in Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia but could also become a key player in the Balkans’ energy supply. The move would give the Hungarian company a strategic advantage in regional markets.

International competition and political challenges

MOL’s chances are boosted by the fact that the Hungarian company is the only EU bidder for the refinery, but the international field is strong: the UK-Catar consortium Oryx Global and London-based DL Hudson were previously seen in the press as the favourites. Although Lukoil has not formally negotiated with them, Bulgarian media have reported that American and Azeri investors have also expressed interest in the deal. The race is not only economic but also political, as the success of the deal depends on the decision of the Bulgarian authorities and the reduction of Russian economic influence in the region.

Bulgaria has a long history of domestic political crises. In addition to parliamentary instability and frequent changes of government, the country’s economic and energy situation is uncertain. Currently, the most prominent political figures are the President of the Republic, Rumen Radev, and the leader of the GERB-SDS coalition, Boyko Borisov. The two politicians have different positions: while Radev is more pro-Russian, Borisov is seen as a supporter of Western integration.

This political dichotomy is also evident in the case of Burgas Neftochim. Viktor Orbán’s support suggests that Hungary sees the acquisition of the Bulgarian refinery as a serious opportunity, but the local authorities’ decision to approve the deal is not without political considerations.

Lukoil in Bulgaria and new opportunities for MOL

Russia’s Lukoil has been a dominant player in Bulgaria for decades, especially after securing long-term port concession contracts for oil transport routes in the Black Sea. In recent years, however, the Bulgarian authorities have tightened their grip on the Russian company. Lukoil has been hit with substantial tax fines, and the Bulgarian government’s actions have made it clear that it is trying to squeeze the company out of the market.

The acquisition of Burgas Neftochim could open up new supply opportunities for MOL. Owning a seaport infrastructure would be a major strategic advantage, as it would allow the Hungarian company to diversify its oil supply routes. Although transport through the Bosphorus is difficult, the refinery would be able to process a significant part of the Kazakh, Saudi or Iraqi oil coming through the Black Sea.

Some experts say that in the long term it would be worth considering the construction of a Bulgarian-Serbian-Hungarian oil pipeline, which would offer a more stable transport alternative. For MOL, such a move would not only improve security of supply, but would also allow further market expansion in the Balkans and Central Europe.

Ending Lukoil’s local dominance could also be important from a geopolitical perspective. The reduction of the Russian economic presence in Bulgaria could lead to increased stability in the region, while MOL’s involvement could strengthen EU interests. Although public opinion in Bulgaria is mixed on the perception of Hungarian political involvement, MOL’s EU background may make it more favourably received than another Russian or foreign interest.

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