Moscow’s Reintegration: Hungary Sees Economic Boost
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has expressed optimism about the potential benefits of Russia’s reentry into Western energy and security systems, following a possible peace agreement in Ukraine.
Orbán believes that once the conflict ends and a peace deal is struck, Russia will be reintegrated into the world economy and the European energy system. He stated this during an interview with Kossuth Radio on Friday.
The US and its allies have imposed numerous sanctions on Russia since 2022 to isolate it from the Western financial system and freeze its foreign reserves. The sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline in September 2022 led many European countries to turn to more expensive liquified natural gas (LNG) imports, primarily from the US.
Despite these restrictions, Hungary has maintained ties with Russia. Orbán noted that talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin raised hopes for a resolution to the crisis.
Orbán welcomed the prospect of peace negotiations, stating, “If I were to comment on it in one word, I would say ‘Hallelujah.’ That’s what we’ve been waiting for.”
After a phone conversation between Trump and Putin, where they agreed to begin negotiations, Orbán reiterated his stance. He said that if the US president helps create peace, Russia’s reintegration into the world economy, European security system, and energy system could significantly boost the Hungarian economy.
Orbán has been a vocal critic of sanctions against Moscow, arguing that they weaken the EU economy and drive up energy prices. He has consistently called for the removal of these sanctions.