Former U.S. Army commander: Szijjártó’s frequent meetings with Lavrov erode trust
In an interview with 24.hu, retired U.S. General Ben Hodges, former commander of the U.S. Army in Europe, expressed concern over Hungary’s foreign relations, particularly its ties to Russia and foreign minister Péter Szijjártó’s friendship with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. Hodges suggested that former President Donald Trump’s favourable stance towards Hungary and Poland stemmed from his animosity towards Germany and France, calling this a short-sighted policy.
In the interview, Hodges emphasised that Hungary, being a small country and a minor part of NATO, is nonetheless vital to the alliance’s trust-based relationships. While he respects the democratic choices of the Hungarian people in electing their leaders, he stressed that trust between nations should never be jeopardised.
“Political differences are one thing, but when I see Hungary’s foreign minister constantly photographed with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and receiving awards from him, it raises serious doubts about trust.”
Szijjártó and Lavrov photographed together:
Hodges, who resides in Germany, mentioned hearing discussions among Germans about the possibility of Hungary being expelled from the European Union due to a lack of trust.
“Whether it’s about energy deals or Russia’s access to national resources, the question is: Can Hungary truly be relied upon within the EU?”
Discussing the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Hodges dismissed the idea of negotiating peace with Russia, arguing that Russia has a history of disregarding agreements. He defined peace not merely as the absence of war but as a situation where no one is motivated to start a new conflict.
He cited Georgia as an example, noting that Russian troops still occupy 20% of the country, and its ruling party is under Moscow’s influence.
“If Crimea remains in Russian hands, Ukraine will have no chance of rebuilding its economy. Pushing Ukraine into an agreement that allows Russia to keep Crimea would be a massive mistake.”
When asked about the Hungarian government’s claim that peace would be achieved within 24 hours if Donald Trump were re-elected as U.S. president, Hodges suggested that this would likely mean Trump would make a deal with Putin without Ukraine’s input, despite the fact that such an agreement would heavily impact the country.
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Isn’t he one of the brilliance of the US afganistabn exit. Tell that to general Flynn what’s top commander in the US. They made up a lie about him working for Putin.
He had one of the highest clearance in the country. The Obama gang set out to destroy him with ther lies costing him over million Iegal fees – Stalinjustice took hold and it continues. They Spent over 40 millio on a special counsel to get him and trump,
When they new it was all lie. Before it even started. Now they brag how many charges they against Trump. Most see it as joke for 9 years. Trump had never been in goverment before- had no idea corrupt it was. He’s know better now- that’s what they are afraid— they can’t let him be re- elected
That is a spot on assessment by General Hodges. The answer to the question he poses is a definite “Nyet” that Hungary can ever be relied upon within the EU because Hungary’s loyalty is to Moscow. Should Hungary be expelled from the EU? This truly hangs on the results of the 2026 election. If Fidesz looks like it will never leave office then yes Hungary should be expelled because the damage it will continue to do to the EU is too great.
TM types somewhere in the Russian liason office attached to the Fidesz ministry of propaganda and anti-American media directives.
Who in their right mind wants to back the US?
– Ukraine, just lol; at least a 175 billion of “official” US tax payer dollars wasted, waiting to see if you
will run in the middle of the night from this one or be evacuated from the rooftops; Fail incoming!
– Afghanistan: 910 billion US tax payer dollars lost, withdrew in the middle of the night, leaving behind
equipment and friendly personnel; Fail
– Iraq: 1.1 + Trillion US tax payer dollars lost, occupying a foreign country with the population against
you, leaving behind 60 billion of wasted funds in reconstruction, not to mention equipment and
friendly personnel; Fail
– Syria: 1.2 trillion dollars lost, illegally occupying a foreign country’s oil fields, with the population
against you; Fail
– Vietnam, fled from the rooftop, 843 billion US tax payer dollars wasted; Fail
– Korea, stalemate, 389 billion US tax payer dollars wasted; Fail
– WW2, US casualties: 419400 /Soviet casualties 20,000,000 – 27,000,000. Who was the major force to
defeat the Nazis? US cost around 5 trillion dollars.
The US hasn’t won a war on it’s own since the Posey war in 1923, where it was exterminating Native Americans.
The only thing the US brings is destruction, so that it’s corporations can come in and rebuild the country after it is destroyed; give a country weapons for war to generate income for the US military industrial complex and then award contracts for rebuilding to US companies afterwards, not to mention additional contracts for protection from Private (American) Military Contractors (PMC) to provide security; Blackwater/Nisour Square massacre anyone?
If you vilify Russian PMC’s, then you need to vilify your own, as they have committed documented atrocities/war crimes (without repercussions, just re-branding).
“Erodes trust” because we are not in lockstep with America’s risible and failed foreign policy diktats the way the U.S. is used to getting from its puppets around the world.
Yeah, that’ll work for me!
America is a country in decline, with its young people–during the few lucid moments when they are not befuddled about what a man is, what a woman is, and how they are different–hating the nation’s very existence and questioning its legitimacy. The E.U. is even worse. We would be fools to align ourselves completely with them. “Jouer le jeu,” for now, and keep everybody as “sweet” as possible, but be aware of which way the winds are blowing.
What a spew of anti-America propaganda the peanut gallery comes up with. To use simple logic ask young Hungarians where they would prefer to live and the US will come out on top. It has been the land of opportunity for more than a century. Any takers who would like to live in Russia? All the Russophiles out there go and immigrate to mother Russia. Of course you won’t. No one in their right mind wants to live there so that should tell you something about that country and that should tell you something about the twisted thinking of anyone who promotes that brutal corrupt dictatorship or chooses to ally with it. Hungary joined NATO for a simple reason. It wanted American and wider European protection from the Russian threat. Don’t forget that and stuff the anti-America propaganda somewhere where the sun doesn’t shine.
Maybe apply your logic to yourself, Larry 🙂
Good comment Larry, but unfortunately many educated middle class and middle aged Hungarians or elites, are happy to criticise and US and western Europe or the EU for being ‘woke’, naive etc. in support of the regime. However, they are afraid of calling out the Orban and Putin regimes; cognitive dissonance, ‘collective narcissism’ and following the oldies’ ‘pensioner populism’.
If something goes wrong, they and the regime will prefer to head west……following youth and younger working age who have already emigrated…
@michaelsteiner – with the EU in terminal decline, US in decline, UK also in decline (but now VERY Sovereign) – what´s a girl to do? Where should we all move, assuming that this country would let us in? A Land of Milk, Honey and Unicorns? It apparently isn´t Hungary, with refugees, illegal immigrants, etc. almost all taking the next train, plane or bus to the Schengen West!
Just as an observation, Mr. Szijjártó always does look very happy when he meets Mr. Lavrov, though. Regular, too! Example:
https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/1962065/
“On July 16, Sergey Lavrov had a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Peter Szijjarto on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York.
The ministers praised the level of Russia-Hungary political dialogue and discussed the progress of the agreements reached by President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban at their meeting in Moscow on July 5. The parties emphasised that despite utterly complicated international environment, bilateral cooperation is steadily moving forward. The ministers stressed the significance of the efforts to implement large joint economic projects, including landmark areas of cooperation in energy.
They also shared opinions on current international issues, including the situation around Ukraine, and stressed that Kiev’s gross violations of ethnic minorities’ rights were unacceptable.”
Gen. Hodges like democrat supporters do not believe in coexistence with countries of different government types. Hodges believes Americans are always right even with apparent mistakes in Vietnam and Afghanistan.
Economically, Hungary has a lot more in common with Russia than the US. Russia is a reliable supplier of energy. It is time to stop dealing with dictatorships like EU and democrat US governments, whose philosophy is my way or the highway, totally ignoring sovereignty of foreign countries. The democrat philosophy was backed up by sending Hungary hating envoy Pressman to Hungary.
@mariavontheresa … “Hungary has a lot more in common with Russia”. REALLY ???
Then the whole characterizing the EU and US as “dictatorships”. One – no they are not. And two – what exactly is Mr. Putin´s Russia, from your perspective ??? Apart from the current domestic situation (which by all accounts is a bit of a police state – but some people like that sort of thing), Russia hardly “respects the sovereignty of foreign countries”. They are, in fact, a bit of a bully. To put it mildly.
Premier Putin is a dictator, but Putin does not pretend to be anything else. The EU in Brussels is a dictatorship, God help the sovereign state that goes against Brussels’ dictates. It is amazing that Norbert and friends cannot recognize a dictatorship. Small countries in the EU really have no influence. If they use their veto they are always crucified.
@MariavonTheresa- The EU must be the only “dictatorship” in the world where all 27 members have a veto power. Your comment is hilarious.
There is no “Russian Threat” Larry, we don’t have enough natural resources to make us a target like the Ukraine, as your own politicians speak of.