Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has stated that Russia will be reintegrated into the global economy and the European energy system once a peace deal is reached to end the war in Ukraine.
Speaking on state radio on Friday, Orban, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, expressed optimism about the economic benefits such a resolution would bring to Hungary.
“If the US president comes and creates peace, there is a deal, I think Russia will be reintegrated into the world economy … the European security system and even the European economic and energy system. That will give a huge boost to the Hungarian economy,” Orban said. “We will win a lot with a peace deal.”
His remarks come amid heightened tensions following Trump’s recent phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Trump has claimed that both leaders expressed a willingness to negotiate, prompting him to direct top US officials to begin talks on ending the war.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Orban has been one of the most vocal critics of the European Union’s sanctions against Moscow and the bloc’s financial and military aid to Kyiv. While many Western European nations have reduced their reliance on Russian energy, Hungary remains heavily dependent, importing 80-85% of its natural gas and most of its crude oil from Russia.
Orban’s comments signal his belief that a peace deal would not only stabilise the region but also restore economic ties with Russia, benefiting Hungary’s energy security and broader economic interests. However, his stance contrasts sharply with that of other EU leaders, who remain cautious about reintegrating Russia without significant security guarantees for Ukraine.
Melissa Enoch
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