Orbán Argues that Russia Gains While the West Diminishes

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban delivered a controversial speech on Saturday, asserting that Russia's leadership is "hyper rational" and predicting that Ukraine will never achieve its aspirations of joining the European Union or NATO. Speaking at a festival in Baile Tusnad, Romania, Orban emphasized a global power shift from the "irrational" West towards Asia and Russia, identifying countries like China, India, Pakistan, and Indonesia as future dominant powers. He criticized Western nations for pushing Russia into closer ties with these emerging economies. Orban, who has been in power since 2010 and currently holds the rotating EU presidency, has taken a markedly different stance from other EU leaders by advocating for improved relations with both Beijing and Moscow. His recent surprise visits to Kyiv, Moscow, and Beijing for discussions on the Ukraine conflict have drawn ire from some EU officials. He argued that Russia's adaptability to Western sanctions since its annexation of Crimea in 2014 demonstrates a rational and predictable approach to international relations. In a further controversial remark, Orban claimed that Russia has gained influence globally by opposing LGBTQ+ rights, stating that this stance represents a significant aspect of Russian soft power. He also expressed skepticism about Ukraine's EU and NATO membership prospects, citing financial constraints within Europe. Orban suggested that the EU should transition from a political identity to a focus on economic and defense initiatives, as Ukraine embarks on a challenging path toward potential EU membership.