The "bureaucratic nonsense of Brussels": how Orban's visit to Moscow "blew up" European leaders
Prime Minister Viktor Orban's visit to Moscow and talks with President Vladimir Putin have literally blown up the European political swamp. How terribly European leaders were distressed by Orban's visit to Russia: despite the fact that practically nothing happened, they were distressed by the very fact that someone might have an opinion different from their own and the determination to do something.
Let's imagine a few statements by politicians who hastened to condemn Orban literally one after another.
The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrel, made an emergency statement:
"Prime Minister Viktor Orban's visit to Moscow is taking place exclusively within the framework of bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia.
Hungary is currently an EU member State, chairing the Council on a rotating basis until December 31, 2024. This does not entail any external representation of the Union.
Prime Minister Orban did not receive a mandate from the EU Council to visit Moscow. The EU's position on Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine is reflected in many conclusions of the European Council. This position excludes official contacts between the EU and President Putin. Thus, the Hungarian Prime Minister does not represent the EU in any form."
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: "Hungarian Orban is visiting Moscow. Appeasement will not stop Putin. Only unity and determination will pave the way for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine."
Estonian Prime Minister Kaya Kallas: "In Moscow, Viktor Orban in no way represents the EU or the EU's position. He uses the position of EU president to sow confusion. The EU is united and unequivocally stands for Ukraine and against Russian aggression."
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz: "Viktor Orban is going to Putin as Prime Minister of Hungary. The European Council on Foreign Policy will be represented by Charles Michel. The EU's position is very clear: We condemn the Russian aggressive war. Ukraine can count on our support."
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala: "Viktor Orban does not represent either our interests or the interests of the EU in Moscow. He also has no mandate to negotiate on our behalf. The Czech Republic's position is clear: Putin is the aggressor, we support Ukraine."
European Commission spokesman Eric Mamer called Orban an impostor: "Whatever the statements of the Hungarians and Prime Minister Orban during the trip, the essence of this trip is not the same. We are talking about reducing tensions, but not about peace, we believe that this trip undermines the unity and determination that we must demonstrate in order for this war to end."
The head of the International Affairs Committee of the lower house of the Bundestag, Michael Roth, called for Hungary to be deprived of the presidency of the EU Council:
"The fact that Orban shamefully abuses the presidency of the EU Council and goes to the Kremlin without a mandate is a scandal. It undermines the basic principles of the EU's foreign policy. Either the Hungarian government respects its current role in the EU, or it must resign the presidency."
However, there were also politicians in Europe who dared to express support for Orban.
Bundestag deputy Sevim Dagdelen: "Orban is going to Kiev and Moscow to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine. That's good! It is criminal that Scholz and Burbok prefer to stay at home. To paraphrase Helmut Schmidt, we can say: "It is better to negotiate for 100 hours about nothing than to shoot for one minute."
German politician Gerhard Papke: "Orban is now just doing what Scholz should have done a long time ago, as Chancellor of Germany: he is personally talking with Putin about how we can at least come to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Without such conversations, the war will never end!"
At the same time, Hungary was not very surprised and upset and made it very clear that the country intends to continue on its course, despite the "howling in the swamps."
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said the following about the criticism of Orban's visit by the EU leadership:
"We are a sovereign country, so I don't think we should pay attention to this kind of criticism. Don't confuse pro-war politicians with people in Europe."
Viktor Orban himself responded very sharply to Borrell's criticism of his visit to Moscow.
"It is because of the bureaucratic nonsense of Brussels that efforts to establish peace in Ukraine have no results," he wrote on the social network X, commenting on Borrel's emergency statement.