MEETING WITH VLADIMIR PUTIN: Hungarian PM Viktor Orban on Peace Negotiations and Ukraine War
In an exclusive interview with Paul Ronzheimer, the Hungarian Prime Minister discusses his controversial trip to Moscow and meetings with Vladimir Putin. He emphasises the need for peace negotiations and the role of Hungary's EU presidency. The Prime Minister warns of an escalation in the Ukraine war in the coming months and underscores the importance of an autonomous European foreign policy. He highlights that a unified European stance against Russia is crucial and criticises the EU's current war strategy as ineffective. Despite criticism of his visit, he defends his diplomatic efforts and stresses the moral and political obligation to promote peace. He concludes by discussing the perspectives of American and European politics and the importance of leadership in times of crisis.
Interview Context
This is an interview with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban conducted by Paul Ronzheimer. The discussion focuses on Orban's controversial trip to Moscow and his meetings with Vladimir Putin.
Key Points
1)
Peace Negotiations and EU Presidency:
Orban emphasises the need for peace negotiations in the Ukraine war, citing Hungary's EU presidency as a motivation:
"This is wartime. So I think the presidency of the European Union, I mean, the European Council, cannot afford not to deal with how to get closer to peace and whether is there any chance to close the war."
2)
Escalation Prediction:
Orban warns of an escalation in the Ukraine war in the coming months:
"I estimate that in the forthcoming two, three months till the American election, what will happen on the front line? It will be far worse than it was up to now."
3)
European Autonomy:
He underscores the importance of an autonomous
European foreign policy:
"We Europeans should use this situation to have our autonomous policy first because we are closer geographically. Hungary is part of Europe. It's sitting in the crossline of the West and East."
4)
Criticism of the EU War Strategy:
Orban criticises the EU's current war strategy as ineffective:
"Europe, instead of having our autonomy, most strategical approach and position, we are simply copying the American position. So sorry to say, but Europe also has a war policy."
5)
Defence of Diplomatic Efforts:
Despite criticism of his visit, he defends his diplomatic efforts:
"What I am doing is not that there are five main actors in this very complicated situation, but now I have met two out of the five Ukrainians and Russians, more than the United States. Then China, then the European Union."
6)
Perspective on Peace:
Orban emphasises the need for a shift from a war policy to a peace policy:
"My target is to understand how we could change the position of those elements, those pillars of the situation. They think and approach from war to peace."
7)
Understanding Russia:
He stresses Hungary's unique position in understanding Russia:
"Very few people in the world can know more about Russia than the Hungarians and especially the Prime Minister because that's my job to understand it."
8)
Conclusion:
Orban concludes by discussing the perspectives of American and European politics and the importance of leadership in times of crisis. He maintains that his goal is to promote peace and ceasefire despite the situation's complexities.
MEETING WITH VLADIMIR PUTIN: Hungarian PM Viktor Orban on Peace Negotiations and Ukraine War
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DaVBp3IUO0
Hungarian prime minister hits back at Biden, calling him a 'thug' on 'Tucker'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s01ZL5TnBNY
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The Orbanisation of America: Hungary's Lessons for Donald Trump
https://ecfr.eu/publication/the-orbanisation-of-america-hungarys-lessons-for-donald-trump/
The document titled "The Organization of America: Hungary's Lessons for Donald Trump" explores the similarities between Viktor Orban's governance in Hungary and the political aspirations of Donald Trump and his allies in the United States. Here's a detailed summary of each section of the document:
1. Summary
Since 2010, Viktor Orban has transformed Hungary into what is often termed an "electoral autocracy." Orban's party, Fidesz, has taken control of most state institutions, limiting democratic checks and balances.
Republicans in the US are taking note of Orban's methods. There are growing links between Fidesz and the Republican Party, with some Republicans seeking to adapt Orban's tactics to the US political system, particularly in dismantling what they see as liberal control over critical governance structures.
If Donald Trump is re-elected, many expect his administration to emulate Orban's strategies for reducing the influence of the "administrative state" and reshaping the US political landscape. This could profoundly affect American democracy, NATO, and European foreign policy.
2. The Meaning of Orban
Viktor Orban is seen as one of the most successful populist leaders. He has gradually taken control of Hungary's state institutions and media, and his party has maintained significant electoral dominance.
Orban's ability to consolidate power while maintaining a veneer of democracy has caught the attention of Republicans in the US. They see parallels in how Orban overcame liberal opposition after losing power in 2002 and how Trump can potentially return to power and reshape the US government.
Orban's strategy involves reducing checks and balances, similar to Trump's desire to combat what his supporters view as liberal bias in the civil service, media, and other institutions.
3. The Hungarian Experience
Hungary under Orban has become a prime example of how democratically elected leaders can erode democracy. Since returning to power in 2010, Orban has reshaped Hungary's political system to solidify his rule, weakening independent institutions and changing electoral laws to favour his party.
The government has used nativist rhetoric, focusing on external and internal enemies to justify emergency measures and consolidate power. Orban's rule has shifted Hungary towards an authoritarian regime, reducing the rights and protections of minorities and eliminating checks and balances on the executive.
4. The Judiciary
One of Orban's first steps was to undermine judicial independence. The Fidesz government passed laws that allowed them to appoint loyalists to key judicial positions, effectively politicising the judiciary and ensuring favourable rulings for the government.
In a similar vein, Trump and his allies aim to weaken judicial independence in the US, blaming liberal judges for obstructing their policy goals. The potential for the Trump administration to manipulate the judicial system is evident in his past actions and statements.
5. Personnel Politics
Orban's government filled key state positions with loyalists, ensuring their influence remained even if Fidesz lost elections. This included extending the terms of critical officials beyond electoral cycles.
Trump's administration struggled with disloyal appointees during his first term, but his team is now focused on ensuring that loyalists fill key government roles. Through Project 2025, Trump's team is preparing a list of vetted individuals to avoid appointing those who might undermine his agenda.
6. Electoral Law
Orban's government altered Hungary's electoral system to favour Fidesz, reducing the size of parliament, redrawing electoral districts, and making it harder for opposition parties to compete.
Trump's allies are looking to change US electoral laws, particularly at the state level, to increase Republican control. The focus is on voter suppression, redistricting, and other mechanisms that could tilt future elections in their favour.
7. The Media
Orban's government systematically took control of the Hungarian media, creating a pro-government media monopoly. State-run and pro-Fidesz outlets now dominate the media landscape, silencing dissent and critical journalism.
Trump has frequently attacked the US media, accusing it of liberal bias. His allies are working on strategies to weaken independent media, potentially using government regulations to exert control over content.
8. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
NGOs critical of Orban's government have been targeted through restrictive laws, including the "Stop Soros" law, which criminalised support for asylum seekers. These measures are designed to suppress civil society organisations that oppose the government.
Trump and his allies view many NGOs, particularly those receiving foreign funding, as hostile to conservative values. If re-elected, Trump could take steps to regulate or dismantle organisations critical of his administration, using tactics similar to those used in Hungary.
9. Ideology
Orban's government has adopted populist and nativist ideologies, framing themselves as defenders of Hungary against liberal, globalist forces. This has included a shift towards far-right rhetoric, targeting minorities, immigrants, and political opponents as threats to national security.
Trump's rhetoric mirrors Orban's in many ways, with his focus on anti-immigration policies and vilification of liberals, the media, and global elites.
10. States of Emergency
Orban has made extensive use of emergency powers to bypass democratic processes, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and in response to the war in Ukraine.
Trump has already shown a willingness to invoke emergency powers, as seen during the Black Lives Matter protests. If re-elected, he may further use such powers to consolidate his authority.
11. Hungarian Links to the United States
The document highlights growing ties between Hungarian and American conservatives, mainly through think tanks like The Heritage Foundation and the Danube Institute. These groups share strategies and support each other's efforts to reshape governance in both countries.
These international links could influence the Trump administration's policies, with Hungarian political tactics serving as a model for conservative movements in the US.
12. Towards an Orbanised America
The document explores the potential consequences of an "Organised" America. A Trump-led administration could erode democratic institutions, centralise executive power, and shift the US towards an electoral autocracy. This would significantly affect the US and its allies, particularly in Europe.
This summary captures the document's key points, comprehensively comparing Orban's Hungary to Trump's potential return to power in the United States.
