Viktor Orbán and Vladimir Putin (Source: SITA/Valeriy Sharifulin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo Via AP)
MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken a step he hasn’t done so far – he stood publicly on the side of the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban before the upcoming elections. Historians talk about an unprecedented intervention in the internal political scene of another state and warn that this move can significantly shuffle the cards in Budapest and Brussels.
“If they want to stay Hungarians, let them support Orban”
In an interview with Hungarian Conservative, Putin said that the Hungarians should be behind his prime minister. “If most of the Hungarians want to remain Hungarians, they should support Viktor Orban,” said the Russian President. He added that he considers Orban to be a leader who prevents the “national interests of Europe” and his victory could contribute to the “rebirth” of the continent.
At the same time, he did not forgive a sharp comparison: if the Hungarians did not want to stay themselves, “they should support Ursulu von der Leyen”.
Historian: It connects their resistance to Brussels
Hungarian historian Zoltan Biro pointed out in an interview with Polsat News that Putin’s open support is not accidental. “It is advantageous for Putin to have politicians such as Orbán who constantly weaken the unity of the European Union and hamper sanctions against Russia. Their values are in many ways similar,” stated.
According to him, this is the first time the Russian leader has directly commented on Hungarian politics. At the same time, however, it warns that Orbán with this support does not have to be excited – the opposition can use it as evidence of his excessive convergence with Moscow.
Unexpected intervention in European policy
Putin’s statement comes at a time when the European Union is trying to maintain unity towards Moscow, while Orbán has long been balanced between Brussels and Kremlin. Analysts agree that the Russian President has sent a clear signal by this step – he wants to have an ally in Central Europe who will brake the pressure of the West on Russia.
Whether it ultimately helps him, or orbán will be more harmful, they will show up to the elections. However, it is certain that Putin for the first time in history decided to openly enter the political fight outside the borders of Russia – and thus changes the rules of the game.
