politics
March 20, 2026
Hungary’s Orban urges the EU to return to ‘old harmony’ with Russia
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has urged the EU to restore mutually beneficial economic ties with Russia once the Ukraine conflict is over
TL;DR
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban advocates for rebuilding mutually beneficial relations with Russia after the Ukraine conflict.
- Orban argues that Western policies, including encouraging Ukraine's NATO bid and imposing sanctions on Russia, have harmed the EU economy.
- Hungary has criticized the EU's phase-out of Russian energy imports, citing increased energy prices and negative impacts on businesses.
- Orban suggests creating a new security and trade system with Russia if the EU cannot agree on restoring old ties.
- Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto also urged the EU to lift its ban on Russian energy imports.
- Russian officials view sanctions as "strategic blunders" that are causing "serious harm to European people and the European economy."
- Russia is considering redirecting gas deliveries from Europe and plans to continue working with partners like Hungary and Slovakia.
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