Orbán, who attended the NATO summit on this occasion, has pursued a Russia-friendly international policy that has put him out of step with the Biden leadership and other ECU allies. Within NATO, it has slowed steps to strengthen security toward Moscow. The ECU union, which handles financial coverage, has promoted undisputed Russia sanctions.
Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee, has long admired Orban, who has worked to weaken key democratic institutions in Hungary since coming to power in 2010. Hungary’s leader is a self-proclaimed proponent of “conservative” Christian autonomy and has supported restrictions on LGBTQ+ people. The country’s judiciary is being cornered and clicked at a time of rights and immigration. He has also drawn praise from conservative populists and conservative establishments in the US, reinterpreting Trump’s longtime slogan and frequently chanting “Make Europe Great Again” in crowd remarks.
The Hungarian leader of the extremist group fanned the flames of grievance by making a whistle-stop tour of Kiev, Moscow and Beijing, which he presented as a struggle to start a rapprochement process to end the war in Ukraine. Orban’s visit to Russia was the second meeting of an EU leader in Putin’s home territory since the Russian leader invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Orbán has also met Putin outside Russia.
The visit to Moscow contrasted with Western efforts to isolate the Kremlin since the beginning of the war, provide political legitimacy to Putin’s demands, critics said, and anger fellow leaders who felt Orbán had since been pursuing independent foreign relations. He assumed the rotating presidency of the ECU union on 1 July.
Officials familiar with Orbán’s communications with European policymakers closest to Moscow say he appears to support Putin’s view of the war – a man who blames Ukraine for the war and Kiev’s annexation of the region. A major share will be given to Russia.
Since Ukraine is the country that was attacked, and not the aggressor, the Biden administration and most other NATO countries have said they will talk to Kiev about whether the month is the right time for talks. Some policymakers say Orbán’s struggle weakens it.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at the outset that Orban’s talks were “counterproductive to promoting Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.”
In that context, Orbán’s meeting with Trump was sure to sound alarm in more capitals. It is not unusual for foreign officials to meet with opposition leaders in connection with the election, with Trump having already announced that if elected he would end the war in Ukraine before taking office. Consistent with his plan, Trump has privately said that he could end Russia’s war in Ukraine by pressuring Ukraine to give up some territory.
Orban – who, except for the summit, has held no high-level meetings with Biden leadership officials in Washington – has the ability to see Ukraine’s present on Putin’s mind and will be able to convey this to Trump. In return, Trump will likely tell Orbán his personal views about the battle for supremacy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disregarded Orban’s efforts on Thursday.
“Where he will go tomorrow, I don’t know,” Zelensky told journalists closest to the meeting with NATO leaders at the height. “Among us, with full respect to everyone, with full respect to all countries, big and small, we have said that all leaders cannot negotiate. You must have some power for this.”
The meeting between Orbán and Trump comes amid concern among global leaders over the potential stance of Trump’s second term, especially as Biden faces competency questions after a tough debate performance on June 27. The long-planned NATO summit coming a month later poses an unusual political threat to Biden, as Democrats debate whether he should remain the presidential nominee.
As The Washington Post reported on Wednesday, at full steam, international leaders debated those questions among themselves, asked their American counterparts what to do with the unfolding political extremism, and watched Biden’s crowds and personal interactions decide what to do. To whether he changes or not. On the condition of anonymity to talk about personal dynamics, in line with many of the crowd familiar with the politicians’ reactions, to another brutal marketing campaign and the length of the presidency.
On Thursday, during a match in North Carolina, Vice President Harris wants to emphasize Trump’s meeting with Orbán to create a difference between the most likely Republican nominee and Biden.
Harris said, “As Trump bows to dictators, he makes America weaker and that is unfit for a person who wants to be commander-in-chief of the United States.” “He is ineligible.”
Earlier this month, Orbán visited Washington not to meet Biden, but to comment on conservative heritage footing and meet with Trump. And Orbán has noted that he supports Trump’s presidential bid, declaring in March that the region “wants leaders in the world who are respected and can bring peace.” He’s one of them! Come back and bring us peace, Mr. President!”
Josh Dawsey and Megan Vazquez contributed to this file.
Discover more from news2source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
