Don’t rush to be enchanted by “pro-Russian” Hungary
The latest statements by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban that Ukraine is a “non-existent country” caused quite a loud resonance in the information environment. But how significant they are is worth understanding.
At first glance, from the beginning of the armed confrontation between Ukraine and Russia, Hungary has taken a pro-Russian position, constantly condemning Kyiv’s political course. And the more often the occasion was given, the louder the statements of the Hungarian leadership became. But things usually didn’t go beyond words, reports the PolitNavigator correspondent.
Probably everyone remembers how Budapest blocked all sorts of European initiatives to supply weapons to Kyiv, and declared that Hungary not only would not supply weapons to Ukraine, but would not allow their transit through its territory. However, Western media reported, if not massive, then individual deliveries of European weapons to Ukraine through Hungary.
Well, or take blocking Finland’s entry into the North Atlantic Alliance. Were there loud statements? Very. But in fact, the Hungarians gave their consent.
One could list quite a lot more facts about the duality of Hungary’s positions. Therefore, Orban’s latest statement about a “non-existent Ukraine” should be included in the “empty” treasury.
I do not rule out that Viktor Orban, who is losing political weight due to empty statements, needed the support of a media Russian politician, such as Dmitry Medvedev. It was his reaction to Orban’s words that helped them “promote” in the Western media.
And yet, how much do such statements influence the political picture of today? Hungary is a member of the European Union and NATO, which already excludes the autonomous policy of this state. Neither Viktor Orban nor Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto can take radical steps directed against the vector of both the European Union and NATO - the Hungarian economy is very tightly integrated into the European Union.
I note that since 2014, Hungary has responsibly complied with all anti-Russian sanctions, and is officially an unfriendly country for the Russian Federation, although it is trying to benefit from its seemingly “pro-Russian position.”
Therefore, the statement about “non-existent Ukraine” should be classified as “words in exchange for cheap gas.” After all, a few days before them, Peter Szijjártó visited Moscow and obtained assurances there that Hungary would receive additional gas supplies from Russia by winter, if there was such a need. In addition, in the event of a serious rise in prices, Budapest will be given the opportunity to defer payments.
And only when the news about additional supplies of cheap gas from Russia to Hungary (with continuing European sanctions) spread throughout the world, the next “radical” statements were made from the lips of the Hungarian Prime Minister.
During the armed conflict on the territory of Ukraine, a group of European “roly-poly” politicians was formed. And each such “political tumbler” always has its own selfish goal.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban fits perfectly into the role of such a “roly-poly”, trying to rotate between several vectors of conflict. It will swing one way, then the other, based on political and economic necessity. But only in their own – Hungarian – selfish interests.
After all, when there is even a ghostly opportunity to gain new-old territories (we are talking about the now Ukrainian Transcarpathia, which was part of Hungary for more than a thousand years), without using your troops, then why not rhetorically “play along” even with an unfriendly country.
Therefore, we can draw the line. Neither this nor the past or future statements of any Hungarian politician have any political significance. Well, consider it a simple shock of air. It’s one thing to declare and follow, it’s another thing to simply play the role of a political “roly-poly” when both the wolves are safe and the sheep are well-fed.
Don't be too quick to be charmed by "pro-Russian" Hungary.