Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum, Orban, Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister acknowledged he will be backing Donald Trump for the upcoming U.S. elections.
On Tuesday, Viktor Orban was asked at the Qatar Economic Forum if he would like former president Donald Trump to make a return in the next elections. He replied stating he hoped so. He affirmed that Trump made a good leader and both being veterans, he supported Trump.
Last month, Viktor tweeted encouraging Trump to ‘keep fighting’ ahead of the latter’s indictment.
Viktor and Trump’s History
Viktor’s public appreciation for Trump is not new. In 2022 when he joined Twitter, the first tweet he made was ‘Where is my good friend, Donald Trump.’
During Trump’s term as the President, in 2019, Orban complimented Trump during a meeting at the Oval Office. Orban a scandalous figure himself said that even though Trump was controversial like him, he was well-respected all over Europe.
Both the figureheads bonded over immigration policy, security and matters that they described as conservative values. At Tuesday’s event, he extended criticism to the current U.S. President, Joe Biden even though he has mentioned that it is not his duty to criticize the head of the United States.
Europe’s longest-serving Prime Minister
Viktor Orban, often considered as an irritant to his European allies, first served as Prime Minister in 1998. He remained in the position till 2002 and returned to it again in 2010 making for a total of 17 years of experience as the Prime Minister.
Orban is known for his nationalist and conservative policies, that has drawn attention across the globe. He is widely deemed to be one of the most pro-Kremlin leaders out of all of the EU nations.
Some of his controversial measures include reforms to the judiciary, education system and the media. His political party, Fidesz, also has constricting policies towards immigration and has encouraged time and again for preserving Hungary’s national identity. Orban is often the topic of debate among other EU countries.
Orban and Ukraine
True to his nature, Orban also took a stand in the Russia and Ukraine war. He shocked people as he said, at the Qatar Economic Forum, that Kyiv’s troops are not likely to win against Russia. He justified his refusal to extend aid by mentioning Nato’s refusal to send troops.
Orban believes diplomacy and a Russian-U.S. agreement will stop the war. Emotionally he is in full support of Ukraine but as a politician, he chooses to save lives, Orban continued in the same speech.
It is worth remembering here that Hungary has the closest ties to Russia out of all the EU nations. Hungary is refusing a €500 million-euro aid from the EU to Ukraine and new sanctions against Russia.
Ukraine has condemned Orban’s comments as it means Russia is being liberated of their crimes. Oleg Nikolenko, the spokesperson to Ukraine, wrote on Facebook that Ukrainians will continue their fight against liberty from Russian occupation as it is the only way to restore peace.
