Orbán‘s Moscow Trip Deemed ‘Hostile Act’ as Hungary Diverges from EU on russia
Brussels, Belgium – November 29, 2025 – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s recent visit to Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin has drawn sharp criticism, with some analysts labeling it a “hostile act” against the European Union and a notable departure from the bloc’s unified stance on the war in Ukraine. The meeting, their fourth since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, resulted in a deal to secure Hungarian energy supplies, despite ongoing EU efforts to reduce reliance on Russian fossil fuels.
During the three-and-a-half-hour meeting, Orbán reportedly doubled down on his approach to Russia, prioritizing continued energy trade.Following the visit, Hungarian Foreign minister Péter Szijjártó stated, “Hungary’s energy supply has been secured.” This comes after Hungary secured a one-year exemption from US energy sanctions on Russian oil during a visit to the White House earlier this month.
Critics argue Orbán’s actions undermine EU efforts to hold Russia accountable for its invasion of Ukraine and to forge a unified diplomatic strategy,including attempts to influence US President Donald Trump to support Kyiv. Orbán, however, has accused European leaders of seeking to prolong the conflict, asserting that a military victory for Ukraine is unattainable.
Jacob Kirkegaard, an expert with the Bruegel think-tank, characterized the visit as “a middle finger for Brussels,” arguing that Hungary is actively sabotaging the EU’s pursuit of a fair peace deal. He stated Orbán is “meeting with the public enemy number one of the rest of the EU, cementing continued energy supplies in direct contradiction of the EU’s plan to phase out Russia energy and undermining their joint efforts.”
Since the start of the invasion, Orbán has consistently advocated for a ceasefire and peace negotiations, opposing financial aid to Ukraine’s military and economy. he recently accused EU leaders of being “pro-war” during a trip to the United States.
Kirkegaard further contends that Hungary serves as a valuable asset for Russia within Europe, aiming to ”split the EU’s position on the war in Ukraine and the relationship with Russia of the European Union. Politically,this is undoubtedly a very beneficial relationship,sort of a Trojan horse for Putin inside the EU.”
The disagreement extends to the EU’s proposal to utilize approximately €140 billion of immobilized Russian state assets in Europe to aid ukraine, a plan Hungary opposes. Orbán also recently praised a controversial peace plan negotiated between the US and Russia, without direct Ukrainian or EU involvement, calling for a direct interaction channel with Moscow.
Orbán’s public support for the Trump governance has been reciprocated with a re-election endorsement from the US President, who described the Hungarian leader as prioritizing national interests and pledged “100% of my support.”
