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Hungarian PM talks with Elon Musk and Trump over the phone after US elections
Hungary’s far-right Prime Minister Viktor Orban congratulated President-elect Donald Trump on his victory in the U.S. presidential election in a post on X,
"The biggest comeback in U.S. political history! Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his enormous win. A much-needed victory for the World!, " the Hungarian leader posted before the official results were yet to be announced. Orban has been a vocal supporter of Trump since his first term. "Mar-a-Lago calling. Just had my first phone conversation with President Donald Trump since the elections. We have big plans for the future!" he wrote in another tweet. On his TikTok, he claimed that X owner Elon Musk was also present during the conversation.
Orban repeatedly said "Europe cannot remain pro-war" and claimed Trump's victory could end the war in Ukraine. Hungary has repeatedly blocked the European Union from approving support for Ukraine.
Orbán at the EU summit: "I told Zelensky, my dear friend, time is working against you"
Viktor Orban has called for a reevaluation of Europe’s support for Ukraine following Donald Trump’s win in the U.S. presidential election, cautioning that Europe cannot sustain the war effort. His comments, ahead of a European Union summit on Friday, showed rising tensions over the future of Ukraine aid. Throughout his campaign, Trump voiced dissatisfaction with the current level of American support for Ukraine’s defense against Putin's invasion.
Orban suggested that the United States will likely pull back its involvement. “The Americans will quit this war; first of all, they will not encourage the war,” Orban stated on Friday. Hosting EU leaders in Budapest, Orban also warned that Europe cannot sustain Ukraine’s war effort alone. “Some still want to continue sending enormous amounts of money into this lost war, but the number of those who remain silent, and those who cautiously argue that we should adjust to the new situation, is growing.”
During the summit, Orban was asked what Ukraine should do when it comes to protecting itself against Russia. The Hungarian leader said "both are sovereign countries" and that what the Ukrainians do is their decision. "They fought heroically, it is for them to decide whether to continue the fight." He explained to Zelensky, "My dear friend, time is working against you. We are ready to help with a ceasefire and later a peace agreement.
The EU, along with the U.S., has been among Ukraine’s largest donors, providing significant military and financial aid.
Pro-government media makes false statements about EU summit
"This is going to be huge! Viktor Orbán will put Donald Trump through live at the EU summit. It won't be the best day for Von der Leyen", pro-government new site Mandiner wrote on Wednesday morning, but the article has since been deleted. Hír TV's Facebook page also reported that "Viktor Orbán will connect Donald Trump live to Ursula von der Leyen at the EU summit in Budapest".
These articles were based on a Facebook post by pro-Orban pundit Dániel Deák, an analyst at the XXI Century Institute. The post was also deleted from the right-wing commentator’s page since, 444 reports.
David Pressman: "Orbán treated this election like a card game at a casino"
"For those of you who asked me my thoughts and predictions tonight, each of you heard the same answer: I represent the United States of America, not a political party within it, and I don’t comment on partisan politics, ever. Because we believe that our foreign policy – our predictability as a partner and an ally – is best served by a nonpartisan approach to national security policymaking. We swear an oath not to a person, not to a government, but to a constitution. To something far greater than any individual, any leader, any party," US Ambassador David Pressman said during his speech after the US elections.
Pressman said that in addition to the President himself, the relationship between Hungary and the United States also changed during the election.
"Prime Minister Orbán treated this election like a card game at a casino. And he placed a very big bet. Whether he believes that he won or lost this hand, he was gambling not with money but with the U.S.-Hungary relationship. A relationship that has been altered by his gamesmanship. The damage caused runs deeper than a four-year term of a President because it is rooted in an impulse to transform something big and lasting, a relationship between Allies – between strong nations – into something smaller and fleeting," the ambassador noted.
The relationship between the Hungarian government and the diplomat has been frosty since the ambassador arrived in Budapest. Fidesz's director of communication Tamas Menczer wasted no time in posting a sarcastic farewell note to Pressman on Facebook: "Goodbye Mr. Pressman, we will miss you!" Menczer wrote.