Would the Hungarian government turn its back on Russia if backed by the US?
The Hungarian government may be ready to change its tune on Russia sanctions, but only if Donald Trump is behind them. FM Péter Szijjártó hinted at a possible shift during a London event, saying Hungary could back new measures if they’re part of Trump’s push for peace in Ukraine. For now, though, he’s still calling EU sanctions “ridiculous” and more damaging to Europe than to the Kremlin.
Hungarian government to reconsider sanctions
As The Telegraph reports, the Hungarian government may reconsider its stance on Western sanctions against Russia if former U.S. President Donald Trump uses them to penalise Vladimir Putin for rejecting a potential ceasefire proposal in Ukraine. Citing remarks made by Hungary’s FM Szijjártó at a Royal United Services Institute event in London, the report highlights a possible shift in Hungary’s approach, which is traditionally critical of EU sanctions on Russia. Despite the Hungarian foreign ministry’s official statement to MTI omitting this detail, The Telegraph notes Szijjártó described current EU measures against the Kremlin as “ridiculous” and economically damaging to Europe rather than to Russia. The Hungarian government’s position remains closely watched, given PM Orbán’s ties with both Trump and Putin.
“Ridiculous” EU sanctions
Szijjártó reiterated that the Hungarian government views EU sanctions as “ridiculous” and economically harmful to Europe rather than to Russia. However, he indicated Hungary might support such measures if they align with Trump’s negotiating strategy. “Our future decision will be determined by future circumstances,” Szijjártó stated. He expressed hope that sanctions would not be needed and that peace could still be achieved but acknowledged that Hungary would reconsider its position if diplomacy failed.
Anti-woke and anti-LGBT stance
At the same time, Szijjártó sharply criticised Brussels for failing to engage with Trump early enough to avoid punitive tariffs and highlighted the former US president’s impact on global politics. He praised Trump for challenging the “liberal mainstream” and welcomed his return to the international stage. The Hungarian government, he said, shares this ideological stance and is committed to an “anti-woke” policy agenda.
Reflecting this position, Hungary recently banned the Budapest Pride parade and is planning constitutional changes to define gender strictly as male or female. Szijjártó defended these moves as part of a broader effort to protect children from what he described as “aggressive LGBT propaganda.” Echoing Trump’s rhetoric, he stated:
We want to protect our children from organisations that go into schools and kindergartens and say to Péter: Péter, if you want, you can be Petra.
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