Orban Suggested Becoming a 'Mouse' to Assist Russia in Conversation with Putin – Bloomberg

Bloomberg has reported on a significant phone conversation that occurred on October 17, 2023, between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin. During this exchange, Orban reaffirmed his friendship with Putin and expressed his readiness to assist in resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, specifically by suggesting the possibility of hosting a summit in Budapest.

According to the transcript of the conversation, Orban emphasized his commitment to supporting Putin, stating, "Yesterday our friendship reached such a high level that I can help in any way. In any matter where I can be of service, I am at your disposal." This statement reflects Orban's dedication to the Russian leader amidst the complex geopolitical landscape.

To illustrate his point, Orban referenced a popular Hungarian children's tale about a mouse that frees a lion from a trap after the lion had previously spared its life. This metaphor reportedly elicited laughter from Putin, indicating a friendly atmosphere during their discussion.

The majority of the conversation was dedicated to exchanging compliments and discussing opinions on U.S. President Donald Trump. Orban noted that their friendship has strengthened since it began in Saint Petersburg in 2009, underscoring the long-standing relationship between the two leaders.

"The more friends we find, the more opportunities we have to confront our opponents," Orban remarked, highlighting the importance of international support for Hungary. He also expressed regret that personal meetings with Putin have become rare due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which he believes complicates their cooperation.

In response, Putin expressed admiration for Hungary's "independent and flexible" stance regarding his war against Ukraine, stating, "It is unclear to us why such a balanced, moderate position only invites objections." This suggests that Russia values Hungary's support despite the international pressure it faces.

The primary objective of the October conversation was to discuss the possibility of holding a meeting between the U.S. and Russia in Hungary. However, the transcript indicates that the Budapest summit did not take place, which may reflect the difficulties in achieving consensus among major powers.

It is important to note that details of Orban's conversation with Putin emerged against the backdrop of a scandal involving leaked communications from Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. On March 31, media outlets released audio recordings shedding light on their interactions, particularly amid a scandal regarding Budapest's potential transfer of confidential EU discussion details to Moscow.

Among the topics discussed was Szijjarto's lobbying for the removal of EU sanctions against the sister of Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, Gulbahor Ismailova. Following this, Szijjarto once again criticized the European Union's sanctions policy against Russia, asserting that he "regularly consults and has consulted with foreign ministers from many other countries outside the EU regarding sanctions measures."

The European Commission has already reminded that Szijjarto received warnings regarding the inadmissibility of disclosing information from EU Council meetings, underscoring the seriousness of the situation and potential consequences for the Hungarian government.