By Askold Lozynskyj
Prime Minister Viktor Orban represents the worst of both Europe and Hungary. As a member of the European Union and NATO, Europe and the world certainly expected much better from Hungary.
Hungary has an infamous past being on the wrong side of history in both 20th century world wars. The Hungarians were as brutal as the Nazis with whom they collaborated in the Second World War. The 1956 uprising was a beacon of light in their modern history. Perhaps, it is time for another.
My own experience with Hungary and Hungarians directly and through Ukrainian Hungarian coexistence has been unnerving and very disappointing. Hungary is a small landlocked country in terms of population and national borders, but with xenophobia and imperial aspirations. Orban’s Fidesz political party is not unlike the MAGA component in the United States, very much anti-immigration and wary of press freedom. Simply stated the overwhelming majority of those whom I met on a governmental level were a disappointment and often a scary disappointment.
The Ukrainian community in Hungary is very disjointed, appearing either fearful or greedy. I have many times suggested to its leadership that they take to the streets in order to voice their protest against the brutal outbursts against Ukraine and the Ukrainian people by Hungary’s leaders, the prime minister or his foreign minister in particular.
Most recently I suggested this plan of action to the representative of the Ukrainian Hungarian community during the run-up to the April 2026 election, only to be told that no political activity is permitted during the election cycle. With my simplistic democratic mind, I was able only to deduce that this election will not be free and fair like the previous ones where Orban and his party prevailed.
For the sake of transparency, I must point out that ethnic communities like the Ukrainian benefit somewhat from Hungarian political largesse, cultural funding and a nominal represenation in the Hungarian parliament. Apparently the benefits are adequate to warrant sycophancy and silence.
On the other hand, the Hungarian community in Ukraine is much more demanding either on its own or through its spokespersons particularly since Orban took over as prime minister. Unfortunately, that had been entirely too long. Orban has been in power more than twelve years.
Regarding his involvement in Ukrainian internal affairs he has insisted that Hungarians in Ukraine be allowed to take higher education tests in the Hungarian language. Without disparaging that language it must be acknowledged that it does not resemble nor is it rooted in any other language of global relevance.
Orban’s opposition to Ukraine’s accession to EU membership is well known. However, that is a small problem since Hungary is one of twenty-seven members of the EU and currently under
significant sanctions by the EU for its misbehavior. New sanctions will be applied probably for its refusal to stop purchasing Russian oil and gas.
On that subject the “Druzhba” oil pipeline runs from Russia through Ukraine and then reaches several European countries including Hungary. Russian missiles and drones severely damaged the portion of the pipeline running through Ukraine. Inexplicably Orban insists that Ukraine repair the pipeline. To pressure Ukraine, he stopped selling diesel products to the country.
Viktor Orban and Donald J. Trump are friends and allies. In an unprecedented move by an allegedly democratic and civilized world leader Trump has manifestly endorsed Orban’s bid for election in April. Their nexus aside from common character traits is their mutual friendship with the worst criminal in the world today, the strongman of Russia, Vladimir Putin. Neither Orban nor Trump have identified Russia and Putin as the aggressor in the current war in Ukraine.
Viktor Orban together with the Albanian prime minister and the Kosovo president are the only European leaders in the Trump Gaza Board of Peace. “The Guardian” labeled the composition a board of authoritarians, strongmen and dictators. Hungary’s contribution has yet to be determined, but Trump will certainly remember who was and who was not at the initial meeting in Washington. Viktor Orban will never be on Trump’s enemies list. He will also never be on a friends of democracy list.
February 20, 2026