Viktor Orban promised Vladimir Putin, in a phone call, that he is willing to make efforts to help him, including contributing to ending the war in Ukraine, by hosting a summit in Budapest. The conversation took place in October of last year, according to TVR, citing Bloomberg.
The conversation took place on October 17, around noon. The content of the discussion has now been revealed for the first time and provides new clues that supporting Russia is a policy coming from the highest level of the Hungarian Government.
The two leaders largely expressed mutual appreciation, as well as for Donald Trump. Both had discussed with the American president the day before about the possibility of a summit in Budapest, which ultimately did not take place.
“The more friends we have, the more possibilities we have to oppose our adversaries”, Orban said, according to the transcription, confirmed also by a source familiar with the discussions.
Putin then praised Hungary’s “independent and flexible” stance on the war in Ukraine. “We do not understand why such a balanced position only generates criticism”, said the Russian leader.
“Yesterday, our friendship reached such a high level that I can help in any way. In any matter where I can be of use, I am at your disposal“, Orban stated.
To showcase his idea, Orban recalled a children’s story, which he said is popular in Hungary. Aesop’s fable presents a mouse that frees a lion caught in a net, after the latter had spared its life earlier.
The remark sparked Putin’s laughter. The spokespersons for the two did not immediately respond to requests to provide reactions regarding the leak of information.
The relationship between Orban’s government and the Kremlin is increasingly scrutinized, as Hungarians prepare to vote in this weekend’s elections. Meanwhile, the American vice president JD Vance has arrived in Budapest, who is expected to consolidate the image of the current Hungarian prime minister.
Previously, in the press there were leaks and discussions of the head of Hungarian diplomacy, who “handled with care” Sergey Lavrov in phone conversations.