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PM Orbán: "The Russians and Americans both speak the language of power"

In a recent roundtable in Vienna, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder engaged in a compelling dialogue on European leadership, the Ukraine conflict, and relations with Russia.

The session opened with a question on the relationship between PM Orbán and Gerhard Schröder, reflecting their shared experience as European leaders with differing backgrounds. PM Orbán described his respect for Schröder, emphasizing their bond as “colleagues, if an elephant and a mouse can be colleagues.” Schröder reciprocated, recalling his numerous visits to Budapest and the Hungarian cuisine he enjoyed, especially goulash. Their mutual respect extended to a shared understanding of Russia’s role in Europe, a perspective Schröder captured when he remarked, “It is crucial for Europe to maintain fair relations with our large neighbor, Russia.”

Addressing the frequent criticism both leaders face within Europe, Schröder noted the importance of “rising above the attacks.” According to Prime Minister Orbán, “It’s important to be liked, but I have my family, my wife, five children, and six grandchildren who love me.” He recounted his roots in the 1980s’ anti-communist resistance, stating, “Rarely in my life has the wind been at my back.” This background, he implied, has shaped his resilience to political opposition, particularly as a proponent of diplomatic engagement with Russia in a climate that largely rejects such dialogue.

When asked about the Ukraine conflict, PM Orbán shared a grim view of Europe’s ability to create peace. He contrasted Europe’s diplomatic efforts with those of former U.S. President Donald Trump, expressing hope that Trump’s return might bring at least a ceasefire. “Europe today can create war but not peace,” he stated, lamenting the lack of effective European leadership. Schröder echoed this frustration, recounting an early peace mediation effort where he was approached to negotiate with Vladimir Putin on Ukraine’s behalf. Ultimately, Turkish President Erdoğan assumed the mediator role, but Schröder noted that “it is absurd not to engage with Putin on peace.”

PM Orbán shared an anecdote about an attempted peace mission, mentioning that Boris Johnson’s intervention as U.K. prime minister reportedly disrupted progress. “History will judge whether that’s true, but let’s record that in April 2022, we were close to a ceasefire thanks to Schröder,” he said.

Reflecting on Hungary’s role as the country holding the EU’s rotating presidency, PM Orbán expressed disappointment with European leaders’ rejection of his diplomatic initiative to build a peace coalition alongside China and Turkey, a strategy he felt could have pressured the warring parties toward peace. “What could be more important than making an effort for peace?” he asked, describing how he sought to gather international support in Washington, Beijing, and Mar-a-Lago.

In a pointed critique of European leadership, PM Orbán said that his goal was to persuade key European figures to engage openly with Russia. However, his calls for negotiation were met with resistance. “There’s a word in German for ‘obsessed,’ right?” he asked, noting that European leaders seemed “obsessed with defeating Russia.” PM Orbán attributed a central role in this stance to Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, suggesting her leadership has aggressively steered Europe into the conflict, as she labels all peace-oriented moves as betrayal or anti-democratic.

In discussing the complexities of European diplomacy, Prime Minister Orbán argued that European leaders’ pride in refusing communication with Russia displayed a “diplomatic barbarism.” By not engaging Russia in dialogue, he warned, Europe was signaling an all-or-nothing approach reminiscent of World War II strategies. The prime minister emphasized the importance of understanding Russia’s unique strategic concerns, describing the country as “held together not by freedom but by strength.” This, he argued, is largely misunderstood in Western Europe, where current leaders lack firsthand experience with the Soviet-era dynamics he remembers from his youth.

“To effectively deal with Russia, you need wealth, military strength, and firm political leadership, because they always have all three,” PM Orbán said, underlining the importance of realistic diplomacy.

As the discussion turned to global power dynamics, the prime minister reflected on the stark difference in American and European approaches to Russia, highlighting that despite cultural differences, both Russia and the U.S. operate through power. He speculated that a Republican administration might reset U.S.-Russia relations swiftly, in contrast to Europe’s hesitancy. At the same time, he warned that if Europe missed this opportunity, “we Europeans will be left sitting on a stool while others make the decisions.”

Looking to Europe’s future in a multipolar world, Prime Minister Orbán underscored a “fundamental issue” with European leadership, highlighting the lack of a unified vision amid challenges such as war, migration, and economic instability. In his view, European politics is stuck in outdated left-right frameworks, unable to address emerging challenges like demographic shifts and the rise of non-Western powers.

“The old political structure is falling apart, and a new center is being born in people’s hearts,” he observed, emphasizing the need for leaders to adapt to these new realities.