Political analyst on Orban’s activity: “The second season of the “peacemaker” without real impact”
12 December 2024 14:48
ANALYSIS
on December 11, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban initiated a telephone conversation with Russian President Putin. The conversation focused on the war in Ukraine, energy, and the situation in Syria. Why Putin did not receive a message from Trump and whether Orban will play the role of an intermediary between Putin and Trump – analyzed "Komersant Ukrainian".
Viktor Orban has expressed interest in “jointly finding ways of a political and diplomatic solution” to the war in Ukraine. He emphasized his readiness to use his contacts with Western leaders to promote peaceful dialogue. For his part, Putin used the conversation to accuse Ukraine of a “destructive line” and unwillingness to reach a peaceful settlement.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s activity in the international arena, including his attempts to position himself as a mediator in global conflicts, is controversial and critically assessed. According to experts, such initiatives are mainly a tool to strengthen his personal political influence.
Peacekeeping or political PR?
Political scientist Volodymyr Fesenko believes that Orban’s actions are aimed at increasing his political weight both within the European Union and beyond. He said this in an exclusive interview with .
“This is the second season of his peacekeeping activity. We saw the first surge in the summer, when Hungary took over the presidency of the EU Council. Now Orbán is trying to use the situation associated with Donald Trump’s victory in the US election and is relying on his friendly relations with Trump and Putin.”
Volodymyr Fesenko
According to the expert, Orban’s attempts to mediate in the negotiations between the West and Russia have more signs of a PR campaign than a real diplomatic strategy.
“This is an attempt to draw attention to himself and artificially raise his international status. However, this activity will not bring any practical results,”
– added Volodymyr Fesenko.
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“Neither Putin nor Trump needs Orban”
Key players, such as Russia and the United States, are not interested in Orban’s participation in serious negotiations, Fesenko said.
“Putin wants to negotiate directly with Washington. He is interested not only in Ukraine, but also in strategic issues: NATO, deployment of intermediate-range missiles, sanctions. Orban is not needed in this game.”
Volodymyr Fesenko
According to the political scientist, if the Americans decide to involve European partners in the negotiations, it will be large countries such as France or Poland, which will hold the EU presidency. At the same time, Russia can also use formal mediation roles. Belarus, for example, is suitable for this.
“Lukashenko often acts as a tool of the Kremlin in its games against the West,”
– Fesenko explained.
Not surprisingly, Orban did not have any messages for Putin from US President-elect Donald Trump. In addition, Russian presidential spokesman Peskov noted that no agreements on a meeting between the leaders of Russia and the United States were discussed.
“Trump, even with all his friendly relations with Orban, will not share the peacemaker’s laurels. His team will negotiate with Russia on its own,”
– Fesenko noted.
So Orban’s activity is more of a publicity stunt than a real contribution to solving international problems. However, it may create additional difficulties for the unity of the European Union in confronting Russian aggression.
Zelenskyy’s reaction
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the recent hour-long phone conversation between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to Zelensky, discussing Russia’s war against Ukraine without Ukraine’s participation is unacceptable:
“We all hope that Viktor Orban will not at least call Assad in Moscow to listen to his hour-long lectures,”
– the President of Ukraine said.
Zelenskyy also emphasized that achieving peace requires American determination, European unity and adherence to the principles of the UN Charter.
“I am grateful to President Trump and many European leaders with whom we are already working on strong solutions to achieve real peace,”
– the Head of State noted.
Thus, the phone conversation between Viktor Orban and Vladimir Putin, despite the Hungarian prime minister’s statements about his desire to promote peaceful dialogue, was more symbolic. For key players such as Russia and the United States, the Hungarian leader remains on the periphery of political processes. Experts view Orban’s attempts to position himself as a mediator between the West and Russia as a tool to strengthen his personal influence rather than as a real contribution to conflict resolution.
Ukraine, for its part, emphasizes the inadmissibility of any negotiations on the war without its participation. US resolve, European unity, and adherence to international law remain the key conditions for achieving peace.
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