‘As we step into 2025, the world stands at a crossroads and on the brink of major breakthroughs in many aspects. The world order is in transition. Artificial Intelligence is poised to reach new milestones, unimaginable only a few years ago. Many crises, natural or manufactured, have reshaped the geopolitical landscape, and tested our societies’ resilience.’
Steve Bannon, former adviser to US President Donald Trump, praised Viktor Orbán in a recent interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. Bannon stated that the Hungarian prime minister, due to his special relationship with Trump, could serve as the bridge between the United States and the European Union over the next four years.
President Trump, after overcoming multiple indictments, one conviction, and two assassination attempts, completed the Great American Comeback story and won the 2024 US presidential election, becoming the 45th and 47th President of the United States. He also delivered the first popular vote victory for the Republican Party in a presidential election since 2004.
‘The Danubian Compact could serve as a modern, flexible framework for cooperation, focusing on shared economic interests, energy security, infrastructure development, and more. What if the real future of Central Europe does not lie in resurrecting the past, but in reimagining it for a new era? The pieces are there, the question is whether the leaders of these nations are willing to make that leap.’
Six months ago, many questioned whether Hungary could fulfil the role of ‘honest broker’ required for the EU Presidency. Now, as the semester concludes, it is evident that Budapest has delivered one of the most successful and memorable presidencies in the history of the European Union.
After rejecting his Christmas ceasefire proposal, Volodymyr Zelenskyy harshly criticized Viktor Orbán for his mediation efforts between Kyiv and Moscow. The Hungarian prime minister responded firmly: ‘We won’t respond to any provocation.’
Since the Budapest City Council did not elect a Deputy Mayor in their November session, Capital Government Commissioner Botond Sára is taking the municipal government to court for failing to comply with its legal obligations. Sára has also raised concerns over the city budget, saying that Budapest is ‘nearing bankruptcy’.
A recent Századvég poll reveals that 77 per cent of Hungarians believe Donald Trump, upon assuming office in 2025, could end the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war. The findings highlight strong public support for peace initiatives, aligning with Hungary’s diplomatic efforts.
Donald Trump’s pick for national security advisor, Mike Waltz, stated in a recent interview that the President-elect’s team will take a hard look at Viktor Orbán’s Christmas ceasefire proposal. Last week the Hungarian prime minister concluded his second peace mission in six months, presenting a truce initiative and a large-scale prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine.
‘We knew that if Donald Trump won the US presidential election, the most influential man in Europe—the politician whose phone calls would be answered by Trump, Putin, and Xi Jinping—would be Viktor Orbán,’ Ciprian Rus, senator of the progressive Save Romania Union highlighted in a recent interview.