European leaders seethe over Putin-Orbán meeting
GuardianOct 22, 2023
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán Visits Moscow
Image copyright: Mikhail Svetlov/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán arrived in Moscow on Friday and met with Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin, three days after meeting with Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.
Orbán said Hungary was "the only country in Europe" that could "talk to both warring sides." However, the EU said he hadn't received any mandate to visit Russia on behalf of the bloc.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The West shouldn't trust Orbán, as he undermines its unity in Ukraine. Orbán's actions — such as blocking the EU's budget support for Kyiv — highlight his obstructionist agenda, and Hungary's EU presidency threatens European cohesion and values.
Establishment-critical narrative
The West's approach to international diplomacy is slow and ineffective. Orbán has advocated for faster, alternative solutions to achieving peace and suggested an immediate cease-fire between Ukraine and Russia to end the conflict. Meanwhile, the EU's current strategies have prolonged the war and caused instability.