Hungary's Orban, so far snuffed by West, to claim spotlight as EU's 'Trump whisperer' as tables turn

While much of Europe watches warily as Donald Trump re-enters the political spotlight, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban is celebrating.

Orban, a nationalist leader with strong ties to Trump, immediately declared Trump’s victory “a much-needed victory for the World” on social media, seeing in it a potential boost to his own influence in Europe.

The Hungarian leader’s stance contrasts with much of Europe, where many leaders are concerned about the implications of Trump’s return for Ukraine, Nato, and international trade.

Hosting a summit of European leaders on Thursday (November 7) in Budapest, Orban took centre stage amid a renewed hope that his ties with Trump could enhance his leverage across EU, where he was until recently snuffed due to his opposition to military aid for Ukraine and his closeness to Moscow.

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Although reluctant to see Orban as a leading voice on security matters, some European leaders may still hope he can exert influence on trade issues in future discussions with Trump, who has ramped up pressure on Nato member countries to spend more on defence, as well as hinted he would end the war in Ukraine in a way that would benefit Moscow.

Despite facing isolation within the EU, Orban has branded himself as a “man of peace” aligned with Trump’s declared intent to swiftly end the conflict in Ukraine.

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Orban has praised Trump as a potential “peace broker” and recently referred to Trump as a leader who could stop the fighting. Late Wednesday, the two leaders spoke by phone, with Orban later posting, “We have big plans for the future!”

Orban’s bid to position himself as an intermediary is not without controversy.

His “peace mission” in July, which included uncoordinated visits to Moscow and Kyiv, irked EU and Nato leaders. Following those meetings, Orban went to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, affirming his belief that Trump would “act as a peace broker immediately” if re-elected.

With inputs from agencies