Trump sought Russophile Orbán’s advice on Ukraine after winning election, RFE/RL sources say

US President-elect Donald Trump has been extensively consulting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán about the Russia-Ukraine war, according to multiple government sources reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Hungarian service on 30 November. One of the sources said the EU summit in December could be preceded by another peace mission.

Since his US election victory on 5 November, Trump has engaged in several telephone conversations with Orbán. A government source noted that “others had to wait in line” for such direct communication. The initial call was mostly protocol, but subsequent ones, including last week, have focused on concrete issues, according to the RFE/RL’s sources.

RFE/RL says Trump’s primary interest has been understanding Orbán’s perspective on rapidly concluding the war in Ukraine. The US President-elect specifically inquired about Russia’s war-continuation capabilities, the resilience of Vladimir Putin’s regime, and potential resolution roadmaps.

Despite Russia nearing the exhaustion of its stored Soviet-era equipment, pro-Russian Orbán has consistently labeled the conflict a “material war,” asserting that Russia still holds significant reserves to sustain a prolonged fight.

While pro-Russian Hungary provides no military aid to Ukraine, Orbán argues that Kyiv remains wholly reliant on Western donors, whose long-term support is increasingly uncertain.

The Hungarian Prime Minister advocates for an immediate ceasefire, followed by negotiations toward a comprehensive long-term peace agreement, which would benefit Russia by giving it time to consolidate the occupied territories and prepare for the further invasion of Ukraine. These views closely align with Trump’s previous statements about achieving peace in Ukraine “within 24 hours.”

RFE/RL says analysts suggest Trump aims to secure rapid, visible political achievements upon January inauguration, potentially including halting Ukrainian hostilities – even without a sustainable long-term peace framework.

While the EU (with the exception of Hungary and Slovakia) and the current US administration back Ukraine, Trump takes office in January, Germany prepares for early elections in February, France’s government teeters, and pro-Russian sentiments grow in countries like Romania.

This summer, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán claimed to pursue peace in Ukraine, meeting Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Donald Trump, but his efforts largely undermined the EU’s position. In September, he proposed a Ukraine-Russia peace summit based on China and Brazil’s initiatives. Orbán’s visit to Moscow to meet Putin, the first by a European leader since April 2022, drew sharp EU criticism and led to downgraded representation at Hungary’s EU Council presidency events. He also urged the EU to abandon sanctions against Russia.

According to RFE/RL, Orbán’s potential “Peace Mission 2.0” is being considered for December, potentially preceding the EU presidency handover ceremony in Budapest on 18 December or the year-end Brussels EU summit on 19 December. Hungarian RFE/RL warns that in the current situation, greater pressure may be placed on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept a deal, especially as Ukraine struggles on the front line.

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