Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Hungary’s energy security has faced constant and varied threats—from strikes on Russian gas pipelines to the suspension of transit through Ukraine. However, if the current ceasefire agreement is implemented effectively, Budapest could finally experience stability in this regard.
‘To suggest swapping Hungary for Ukraine simply because the Hungarian government does not fall in line on critical issues and instead maintains a consistent, principled position is not only impossible but reckless. It would trigger a series of developments that could ultimately lead to the EU’s collapse—a risk that already looms large.’
After the second round of peace talks in Saudi Arabia, Washington announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a ceasefire in the Black Sea and on each other’s energy infrastructure. If upheld, the deal could mark the first concrete step toward a broader truce.
Tamás Menczer has warned in a Facebook post that due to military aid to Ukraine ‘the war has already cost every Hungarian family 2.5 million HUF, and Ukraine’s EU membership would cost millions more for each and every family’. The Hungarian government remains in stark opposition to having Ukraine become an EU Member State.
Alan J Kuperman, in a rare opinion piece published by The Hill, breaks with the Western narrative on the causes of the war in Ukraine, acknowledging that Donald Trump is right about most of the factors behind the conflict. This ultimately means Hungary was right as well, as the Hungarian government’s position on the war closely aligns with that of the US president.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin agreed on a partial ceasefire and the immediate launch of a new round of talks to end the war in Ukraine. The current deal applies to energy and infrastructure on both sides. Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó welcomed the news, warning the EU not to undermine the peace process.
‘On the day the US temporarily halted military aid to Ukraine, Kellogg delivered a speech at CFR in Washington, DC. He emphasized that Ukraine had several opportunities to sign the US–Ukraine $500 billion Minerals Deal, including during his visit to Kyiv on 19 February and during Zelenskyy’s last trip to Washington, which is unlikely to be remembered as a successful diplomatic effort.’
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are set to hold talks on Tuesday over a potential ceasefire deal between Ukraine and Russia, which Kyiv has already accepted, while Moscow remains cautious. As peace talks progress, the positions of the involved parties are shifting rapidly: Ukraine no longer views the lifting of Western sanctions on Russia as a red line, and some European leaders are now openly discussing the normalization of relations with Moscow.
Hungary has lifted its veto on renewing sanctions against Russian individuals after striking a last-minute deal to remove four people from the list. The decision comes as the US intensifies pressure on Russia to accept an immediate 30-day ceasefire deal, which Ukraine has already agreed to.
‘According to von der Leyen: “The question is no longer whether Europe’s security is threatened in a very real way. Or whether Europe should shoulder more of the responsibility for its own security,” but rather: “Is Europe prepared to act as decisively as the situation dictates? And is Europe ready and able to act with the speed and ambition that is needed?”’
Hungarian Conservative is a quarterly magazine on contemporary political, philosophical and cultural issues from a conservative perspective.
