Hungary’s PM Congratulates Putin on Winning Widely Criticised Elections
Image Source: AP News
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on winning the widely criticized Russian elections.
Viktor Orbán’s congratulatory letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin highlights Orbán’s reputation as one of Putin’s closest allies within the European Union. Orbán’s decision to extend congratulations to Putin following his reelection, which will extend his nearly quarter-century rule of Russia by another six years, stands in contrast to the cautious approach taken by other EU leaders. Orbán’s action underscores his perceived alignment with Russia and may have implications for Hungary’s relationships within the EU and on the global stage.
Orbán’s letter said that the cooperation between Hungary and Russia, “based on mutual respect, enables important discussions even in challenging geopolitical contexts.”
Western leaders widely criticized Putin’s landslide victory, characterizing it as predetermined within Russia’s repressive political framework. The EU condemned the election, citing a “highly restricted environment” exacerbated by Russia’s illegal aggression against Ukraine.
“Russian authorities have continued to increase systematic internal repression by cracking down on opposition politicians, civil society organizations, independent media, and other critical voices with the use of repressive legislation and politically motivated prison sentences,” an EU statement said.
Orbán also emphasized Hungary’s “commitment to peace,” advocating for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine without specifying the implications for the country’s territorial integrity.
In contrast to its EU and NATO allies, Orbán’s government has pursued a distinct approach to the conflict in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion over two years ago. Hungary has declined to provide weapons to Ukraine or permit their transfer across its borders, obstructing EU efforts to allocate crucial funding to Ukraine.
Moreover, Hungary has sought to enhance energy agreements with Moscow while other European nations have reduced their reliance on Russian fossil fuels. Orbán’s stance has strained relations with Ukraine’s government and EU partners.
During an interview with Hungarian public radio from Brussels on Friday, Orbán criticized EU leaders for assuming an increasingly proactive role in the Ukrainian conflict, which he predicted would become a focal point in the bloc’s upcoming elections.
Orbán remarked, “The leaders speak as if they are waging their own war against Russia. Unlike us, who assert, ‘This is a conflict between Russia and Ukraine. It’s not our conflict.’ We are not in conflict with Russia; they are. They even discuss defeating Russia.”
On Thursday, Hungary rejected a Czech-led initiative to acquire ammunition urgently needed by Ukraine from non-EU countries.
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