Report highlights close ties between Orban and Putin

A phone call between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin in October suggests an unusually close relationship between the two leaders, Bloomberg has reported.

According to a transcript, Orban expressed his willingness to ‘help in any way’, including mediating talks on the war in Ukraine or hosting a US–Russia summit in Budapest. The conversation also reportedly included personal gestures and symbolic comparisons, indicating a high level of mutual trust.

The report comes at a sensitive time ahead of Hungary’s elections, with Orban facing strong opposition. His government has long been criticised for its pro-Russian stance, including blocking aid to Ukraine and maintaining energy ties with Moscow.

There are also suspicions that Budapest may have passed on information from EU negotiations to Russia. Orban, however, insists on Hungary’s ‘independent’ approach.

(mja)