Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has stated that he will pop open the champagne if President Donald J. Trump wins the White House next month, as Trump will solve the war in Ukraine. Orban, who is noted for his anti-mass migration, pro-family, and socially conservative policies, expressed his support for President Trump’s potential victory while addressing lawmakers at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. He indicated he would “open several bottles of Champagne” to mark Trump’s win.
The Hungarian leader also commented on the implications of a Trump presidency for Europe. He suggested that Trump could resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which borders Hungary, before his potential inauguration in January. Trump has already stated he intends to broker a deal between Ukraine and Russia to stop the fighting.
His comments come amidst tension between Hungary and the European Union (EU) over Hungary’s stances on immigration and the conflict in Ukraine. Budapest turns away would-be illegal immigrants and has been reluctant to approve EU measures arming Ukraine and sanctioning Russia, angering the bloc. Orban has also refrained from participating in Western arms supplies to the Ukrainian military.
During conversations with journalists, Orban maintained that a ceasefire is necessary and expressed doubt over Ukraine’s ability to secure victory militarily. He urged the EU to reconsider its current strategy, implying that the existing approach is ineffective and could lead to a serious failure.
Earlier this year, Orban visited Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and President Trump. He discussed negotiating an end to the fighting with all three leaders.
The Hungarian leader has been a consistent Trump ally, claiming last year that Trump can “save the West.”