Trump launches ‘Board of Peace’ with Orbán among signatories

Orbán backs Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ at World Economic Forum

US President Donald Trump launched the “Board of Peace” on Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where the founding charter was signed by leaders from 22 countries, including Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán. Introducing Orbán as a “tough guy”, the US president oversaw the signing ceremony on the forum’s second day. Orbán later shared details of the event on Facebook, saying Hungary had joined because war threatens economic stability through inflation, sanctions and high energy prices, and arguing that participation in international initiatives aimed at preventing conflict was essential to protecting national security.

Hungary and Bulgaria are the only EU member states to have joined the board so far, with several other EU countries declining to participate amid tensions linked to Trump’s dispute over Greenland, while the UK has said it is “not ready” to join because of Belarus’s involvement. In remarks at the ceremony, Trump described the Board of Peace as “one of the most important bodies the world has ever seen” and said it would work with the United Nations to “end conflicts around the world”, though few details have been given about its operation. According to the charter, the board aims to promote stability, restore lawful governance and secure lasting peace in areas affected by conflict, citing the need for a more flexible and effective "peacekeeping" body to succeed institutions it says have failed.

Orbán responds with heated message to Zelensky's criticism

Hungary’s far-right prime minister, Viktor Orbán, posted a heated message on his X after Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, accused him of acting against European interests during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Zelensky criticised Orbán, whom he described as Russia’s closest ally within the European Union, saying: “Every Viktor who lives off European money while trying to sell out the European interests deserves a smack upside the head,” and warning that comfort in Moscow should not translate into European capitals becoming “little Moscows”.

Orbán, who has repeatedly used Hungary’s EU veto to block or delay support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s invasion, addressed Zelensky directly in his response. He claimed it was Zelensky, not Vladimir Putin, who was prolonging the war, which will enter its fourth year in February, and wrote: “I am a free man who serves the Hungarian people,” contrasting his position with that of the Ukrainian leader, whom he said had failed to end the conflict despite extensive assistance from the US president. Orbán attended the Davos forum for the first time in 26 years.

Szijjarto says Greenland is not a matter for the European Union

Hungary’s foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, said Budapest would not support a unified European Union position on Greenland following recent remarks by US president Donald Trump, arguing that the issue does not fall within the bloc’s remit. Speaking at a press conference in Prague, Szijjártó said Hungary regarded the question of Greenland’s future as a bilateral matter, adding: “We see this as a bilateral issue that can only be resolved through negotiations between the two parties (…) I do not consider this to be a matter for the European Union.”

Szijjártó said Hungary will not join any joint EU statement on the issue. The Czech government has also so far declined to back Denmark, saying the issue should be resolved through an agreement with the United States.