Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, Photo: Press service of the Russian Foreign Ministry / AP
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó made his 13th visit to Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. His frequent contacts with the Kremlin have raised suspicions among European diplomats and increased Budapest’s isolation in the EU.
Diplomat who visits Moscow the most among EU countries
While Western leaders are limiting their contacts with the Kremlin, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó continues to engage in active dialogue with Russian officials. On Wednesday, 26 March, he arrived in Moscow for the fourth time in a year, his 13th trip since the start of the war in Ukraine.
Siyarto is scheduled to meet with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak in Moscow, and is accompanied by the head of the Hungarian oil company MOL, Nirt Zolt Hernadi.
“Our talks today are focused on peace, energy security and economic cooperation,” Sijjarto wrote on Facebook before leaving for Russia.
The frequency of the Hungarian diplomat’s visits to Moscow has become a source of concern among European partners, who question his true purpose. Even the Kremlin’s closest allies do not travel to Russia as often, Bloomberg writes.
Hungary: the Kremlin’s European Trojan Horse?
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s policies continue to contradict the EU’s common line, exacerbating Budapest’s conflict with Brussels. Orban refuses to support Ukraine, opposes anti-Russian sanctions and promotes close economic ties with Russia.
Szijjártó’s presence at international meetings is often accompanied by harsh criticism of the EU, and his statements demonstrate Budapest’s anti-Western rhetoric. He constantly insists that the EU has an “extremely pro-military stance”, supporting the supply of weapons to Ukraine.
During a meeting of EU foreign ministers on 17 March, Szijjártó accused Germany and Austria of conspiring against Hungary because of its position on the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, an issue that Budapest uses as a pretext to sabotage aid to Kyiv.
Russia, the US, Germany, China: why Orban is playing on several fronts
In addition to his pro-Russian policies, Szijjártó has been active in attracting investment from various countries, including the United States, Germany, Russia and South Korea. His diplomatic efforts have helped turn Hungary into a centre for electric vehicle production in Europe, attracting Chinese giant BYD as well as German automakers.
Despite its isolation in the EU, Hungary is trying to make the most of the new world order by manoeuvring between Russia, China and the United States.
Europe moves on without Hungary
At recent EU summits, European leaders no longer try to convince Orban to support Ukraine, but simply make decisions without him. This could mean Hungary’s gradual political marginalisation within the bloc.
However, with the return of Donald Trump to the White House, Orban may have a new resource for his anti-European policy, which will further exacerbate the split in the EU.
