There should be a ceasefire as soon as possible. He has high hopes for the re-election of former US President Donald Trump. According to Orbán, he would immediately begin negotiations with Russia on this matter.
Orbán, together with Germany’s former chancellor Gerhard Schröder, took part in the event organized by the Swiss weekly newspaper “Weltwoche” entitled “Peace in Europe”. The fully booked panel discussion in the Sofiensälen in Vienna-Landstrasse was moderated by “Weltwoche” editor Roger Köppel. He accompanied Orbán on his controversial visit to Russian President Vladimir Putin in June.
Orbán described his thoughts on why he launched his controversial Ukraine peace mission at the start of the current Hungarian EU Council Presidency. As part of this, he traveled to Kiev, Moscow, Beijing, Washington and to Trump’s residence at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
Video: Before his appearance at the panel discussion, Orban met Rosenkranz and Kickl
“Time is working against you”
“I wanted to convince both sides that time was against them,” Orbán explained. He wanted to achieve an early ceasefire. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the situation on the front would not get worse, “on the contrary, they would win.” Russian President Putin, in turn, demanded guarantees that the enemy would not use a ceasefire to rearm. “I couldn’t give him these guarantees.”
As a result, he tried to win international allies “who would put pressure on both sides.” He was able to get Beijing and Ankara on board, “but the Europeans didn’t want to have a common peace camp with China and Turkey,” Orbán complained.
Schröder praised the “peace initiative”
The former SPD politician Schröder, who was German chancellor from 1998 to 2005, praised Orbán’s efforts to bring about peace between Russia and Ukraine. Germany and France should support the Hungarian head of government in this endeavor, he said. “It’s interesting: Since when have people been scolded for peace initiatives?”
Schröder, who has a long-standing personal friendship with Putin, himself launched a failed attempt at mediation shortly after Russia’s attack on Ukraine in spring 2022. During the conversation in Vienna, he said that Putin knew “the futility of this war.” The Europeans need to have a conversation with him, “not just keep telling us who has to win and who should lose.”
“Europe cannot create peace”
For his part, Orbán lamented the lack of peace initiative from Europe: “Europe cannot create peace at the moment. It can only create war, but not peace,” said the Hungarian Prime Minister. “There is a complete lack of thinking about Russia in European politics,” criticized Orbán. “Russia is a Christian country, a European country, but is still different from us,” he explained. Russia speaks “the language of power.” That is also the reason why Orbán trusts that Trump can bring about a quick ceasefire in Ukraine: “It is not difficult for the Americans to understand the Russians because they also speak the language of power.” If Trump negotiates with the Russians, there will be “no moralizing, there will be realpolitik.”
Although the Hungarian head of government largely supports the EU sanctions against Russia, he still maintains good political and economic relations with Moscow.
During his visit to Vienna in the morning, Orbán met in parliament with National Council President Walter Rosenkranz, FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl and the parliamentary group and leadership of the Freedom Party. The FPÖ and Orbán’s Fidesz both belong to the new far-right European faction “Patriots for Europe”.
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**Interview with Dr. Anna Kovács, Political Analyst and Europe Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Kovács. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán recently detailed his peace mission concerning Ukraine in a letter to EU leaders. What are your thoughts on the timing and implications of Orbán’s initiative?
**Dr. Kovács:** Thank you for having me. Orbán’s timing is significant, especially as Hungary holds the EU Council Presidency. His push for a peace dialogue comes amid ongoing hostilities and could indicate his desire to position Hungary as a key mediator in European politics. However, his approach raises concerns about credibility among EU members, given his historical ties with Putin and the complexities of Eastern European geopolitics.
**Interviewer:** Orbán has expressed optimism regarding former US President Donald Trump and his ability to initiate negotiations with Russia. Do you think this reliance on Trump is a viable strategy?
**Dr. Kovács:** Orbán’s hope hinges on the assumption that Trump would adopt a less moralistic, more pragmatic approach to diplomacy with Russia. While leveraging Trump’s realpolitik could lead to a ceasefire, it’s crucial to consider whether such a strategy would yield sustainable peace or merely a pause in hostilities. It also poses the risk of alienating European allies who may not share this view.
**Interviewer:** The panel discussion in Vienna featured former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder supporting Orbán’s peace efforts. How do you interpret Schröder’s involvement, considering his past ties with Putin?
**Dr. Kovács:** Schröder’s support underscores a divergent perspective within Europe regarding engagement with Russia. His long-standing relationship with Putin may provide him with unique insights, yet his past mediation attempts were not successful. Their joint advocacy for peace could be seen as controversial, especially among those who believe stringent measures are necessary against Russia.
**Interviewer:** Orbán criticized Europe for failing to create peace and instead claimed it perpetuates war. What is your assessment of Europe’s current approach?
**Dr. Kovács:** Orbán’s assertion points to a growing frustration among some leaders regarding Europe’s strategies in dealing with the conflict. Many EU countries have focused on sanctions and military support for Ukraine, which some argue are essential steps. Nonetheless, a lack of diplomatic dialogue can lead to unresolved tensions. The challenge lies in balancing these approaches to not only support Ukraine but also engage Russia for eventual peace negotiations.
**Interviewer:** considering Orbán’s mixed relations with Russia while supporting EU sanctions, how does this duality affect Hungary’s position in the EU?
**Dr. Kovács:** Hungary’s balancing act is indicative of a broader challenge faced by certain EU states that rely on Russian energy or have historical ties with Moscow. This duality creates friction within the EU, as member states grapple with solidarity versus national interests. Orbán’s approach could deepen divisions or position Hungary as a potential broker, depending on how his peace initiatives are received by both the EU and Russia.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Kovács. It’s clear that Orbán’s mission is multifaceted and reflective of the larger tensions within European politics.
**Dr. Kovács:** Thank you for having me. It’s a complex situation, and I look forward to seeing how it unfolds.