"In 10 days, the world has changed as much as it usually does in years," PM Orbán said, describing Trump’s return as a "tornado" that has upended the status quo. For Hungary, this means relief from the dual pressure of Brussels and Washington, which he believes worked in tandem to attempt to isolate the country. "We were the West’s black sheep. Now it turns out we are the future."
He expects Trump’s presidency to bring not only political alignment but also increased American investment, an area where the U.S. had recently fallen behind China.
On geopolitics, PM Orbán dismissed concerns that Hungary risks being caught between global power blocs, arguing instead that the real danger lies in Europe’s weakness.
"Europe is rich but simultaneously weak," he warned, adding that the continent cannot just sit and wait; it must present a strong offer of cooperation to the U.S. if it expects continued security guarantees.
Hungary, he stressed, will continue to maintain strong ties with both Western and Eastern powers. "The Americans will reach an understanding with the Chinese. For Hungary, this means no problem maintaining good relations with both Washington and Beijing. Russia is more complicated, but we want to keep all business relations open, even if the EU opposes this."
On the war in Ukraine, the prime minister reiterated his long-standing position that the conflict should have been contained from the start. "It was a mistake to make Ukraine believe we would stand by them until victory," he said, arguing that false promises have only prolonged the suffering. He remains convinced that a negotiated settlement is the only viable path forward.
"Weak leaders start wars, strong ones make peace," he stated, adding that Trump is the only figure capable of forcing a ceasefire.
Addressing Hungary’s relationship with Russia, PM Orbán made clear that his approach is pragmatic rather than ideological. "Putin has always kept his word," he said, defending Hungary’s continued economic cooperation with Moscow. At the same time, he rejected claims that Hungary is aligned with Russia, stating, "I am not pro-Russian, I am pro-Hungarian." Energy security remains a key concern, and he emphasized that Hungary’s reliance on Russian energy is a necessity, not a choice. "We have invested heavily in alternative supply routes, but we still need Russia."
Turning to European politics, he sharply criticized Brussels for its handling of both the war and the continent’s economic decline.
"The EU keeps losing its competitiveness. It has no strategy and no leadership. What’s happening here is embarrassing." He underlined that the future lies with a new conservative alliance, predicting that "soon we will have the majority." He also dismissed concerns about Hungary’s perceived isolation within the EU, pointing to the growing strength of right-wing governments across Europe.
Domestically, he acknowledged the emergence of new political challengers but was unfazed by their rise. "In a democracy, you must always be prepared for political opponents," he said, adding that elections are about results, and the government has consistently delivered.
Reflecting on his long tenure, he reaffirmed his commitment to public life. "I am a prisoner of politics," he said, making it clear that as long as Hungarians support him, he has no plans to step away.
"As long as I am mentally capable, I will remain in politics. One day, I’ll sit in the back benches, offering advice to the younger generation—and I will see the results of everything I have fought for."