Trump sought advice from Orbán about Russia's conflict with Ukraine, describing him as an "extremely intelligent individual"
In a recent White House briefing, US President Donald Trump consulted with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán about the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. The conversation came as Trump prepares for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, aiming to explore possibilities for ending Russia's war in Ukraine.
During the discussion, Trump cited Orbán's perspective on Russia's strength and the war's realities. Orbán reportedly told Trump that Russia fights wars, while China excels at trade. Trump did not provide a specific response to this statement.
Trump also asked Orbán whether Ukraine could defeat Russia. Orbán's response was not favourable towards Ukraine. The quote, according to European Pravda, was made during the White House briefing.
Trump expressed unhappiness about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's argument that Ukraine's Constitution would need to be amended for territory to be exchanged in a potential peace deal. Trump mentioned that he is "going to Russia" during the briefing.
It is worth noting that Trump described Orbán as "a smart man that some people like and some people don't like." Hungary has expressed interest in hosting future Russia-Ukraine peace talks, indicating Orbán's potential role as a mediator or influencer in the conflict's diplomatic process.
The dialogue between Trump and Orbán highlights the complexity of resolving the conflict, balancing military realities with political negotiations and the role of nationalist leaders with divergent views within the EU and transatlantic alliance.
Trump's consultation with Orbán signals an attempt to leverage Orbán's influence to facilitate peace negotiations and shift Hungary's position toward Ukrainian EU accession. However, Orbán's stance complicates EU unity, as Hungary remains the sole EU country opposing a joint statement supporting Ukraine’s EU membership. This could affect collective European security policies and diplomatic pressure on Russia.
In summary, Trump’s consultations with Orbán reflect efforts to engage a key regional player to influence the conflict’s resolution and Ukraine’s European integration, though Orbán’s resistant stance bears significant implications for diplomatic cohesion and peace prospects.
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