Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is planning a challenging diplomatic mission to the United States in November, with the main objective of trying to restore communication channels between Washington and Moscow. The Hungarian leader, known for going against the European consensus on the war in Ukraine, wants to convince American politicians, particularly Donald Trump, that only direct negotiation can halt the conflict, which is now almost three years old.
Viktor Orbán is trying to build bridges between leaders who currently avoid each other
Orbán has stated that a meeting between the presidents of the United States and Russia should take place, even without any official confirmation. According to him, the stage is set for this meeting; only the political decision is lacking to make it happen. In recent statements to Hungarian television M1, the prime minister affirmed that the framework for the dialogue already exists.
The Hungarian leader, who has invested in strengthening a network of contacts to support his anti-war stance, recently met with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican. Following the meeting, Orbán defended a viewpoint stating that two central forces are willing to pursue peace.
“Two central points: one that gathers forces under the leadership of the U.S. president, and another that gathers the spirit we find with the Holy Father. We draw strength, motivation and blessing from both,” he said.
Viktor Orbán seeks to connect the Vatican’s influence with Washington’s political power
For Viktor, the talks between Russia and Ukraine are not enough to move towards a non-war scenario. He argues for the need for a broader pact that directly involves Western powers. This position, although seen by many as a more realistic approach, generates discomfort in Brussels and Washington, which also see the initiative as an attempt to legitimize Moscow in the midst of the war.
Sanctions and Russian oil expected to dominate talks in Washington
According to the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, Orbán will use his visit to the US to discuss the new American sanctions against Russian oil, a relevant and sensitive issue for Budapest, which still has a strong dependence on Russian energy. Trump, who recently announced restrictions on the giants Rosneft and Lukoil, has been pressuring European countries to become increasingly independent of Russian fuels.
Hungary is looking for new alternatives. Szijjártó stated that the government is assessing the legal and physical impact of these measures and that, if necessary, Orbán will address the issue personally with Trump during the meeting. From the Hungarian perspective, the message they intend to convey is that the sanctions harm Europe more than Russia in reality.
From the American perspective, Matthew Whitaker, the US ambassador to NATO, has already stated that he hopes Hungary will follow the example of its other allies and reduce its energy dependence on Moscow as much as possible.
Between criticism from Europe and internal praise, Orbán tries to establish himself as a mediator
Orbán’s visit to the United States comes at a time when the Hungarian leader is trying to reposition his global image. At home, he remains popular for keeping energy prices lower and for adopting a discourse of “national independence.” Abroad, however, he is viewed with suspicion by European leaders who accuse him of undermining the unity of the bloc.
Viktor Orbán’s mission is 100% diplomatic in nature. And the way the Prime Minister is received in Washington could define the level of international prestige he will acquire. With the war still showing no signs of ending, the meeting should bring to the forefront the question of to what extent Europe should remain aligned with the sanctions and what role Orbán can play in the search for a negotiated solution.