Own game. On Whose Side is Hungary in Russia's War against Ukraine?

Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression has received full support of the European Union countries, with the exception of Hungary. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Viktor Orban's government has not only not broken relations with the Kremlin, but also does not seem to be trying to hide lobbying its interests.

RBC-Ukraine looked into why Hungary has not become an element of the anti-Putin coalition and how this may affect Western support for our country.

Russia's Trojan horse

The behavior of the Hungarian authorities creates the impression that despite the war in Ukraine, the country is trying to get closer to Russia. For example, when it comes to European sanctions or promises to issue Schengen visas to Russians. Why is this happening?

As explained by the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Orban owes Russian President Vladimir Putin political success and a long period of economic stability, including low energy prices. His funding model, on the one hand, involves receiving "white money" from the European Union, and on the other - "dirty money" from Russia to support his regime.

It is the latter that explains Orban's flirtations with Putin, when he defends Russia from sanctions, allows Russian business to enter the country and distances himself from the spy scandals related to the Russians. However, the EU remains the main source of funding.

The American edition of Politico, citing sources in European political circles, writes that Budapest is acting as a "Trojan horse of Russia", as it advocates a change in the EU's course on the Russian-Ukrainian war. And given the fact that in recent years there have been conflicts between Ukraine and Hungary, the position of its authorities is closer to Moscow than to Kyiv.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 23/11/2022