Hungary’s next PM would pick up if Putin calls and tell him to stop Ukraine war

New Leadership and Relations with Russia

Péter Magyar, Hungary’s newly elected leader, has already engaged with ten European leaders following his landslide victory, which concluded Viktor Orbán’s 16-year continuous rule. Despite his close ties with Orbán, Magyar stated he would not initiate contact with Vladimir Putin, though he would answer the phone if the Russian leader called. “If Vladimir Putin calls I’ll pick up the phone,” he told reporters during a three-hour press conference. “I don’t think it’ll happen,” he added, “but if we did talk, I’d tell him to please, after four years, put an end to the killing and end this war.”

Moscow expressed respect for Magyar’s victory and anticipates maintaining “pragmatic” relations with Budapest. Orbán, who once aligned with US President Donald Trump, received backing from the former president during Sunday’s election. JD Vance, Trump’s vice-president, visited Hungary last week, supporting Orbán’s campaign. Magyar, however, said he would not call Trump, though he welcomed a call, emphasizing their “strong alliance in NATO.” He also invited Trump to attend the 70th anniversary of Hungary’s uprising against Soviet occupation next October.

Election Dynamics and Reform Goals

Magyar, a former insider within Orbán’s Fidesz party, launched a grassroots movement to address corruption and cronyism in government. Preliminary results show Tisza securing 136 parliamentary seats, down from 138, but still holding a two-thirds majority. This allows the party to amend the constitution. Magyar noted around 400,000 votes remain uncounted and expressed optimism about gaining additional seats. He framed the election as a vote for “complete regime change,” not just a government shift.

Magyar’s win has positioned him as a sought-after figure among European leaders. Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president, remarked, “Hungary has chosen Europe.” Magyar confirmed speaking with von der Leyen, highlighting Hungary’s EU membership as a priority regardless of past policies. He also outlined plans for diplomatic visits to Poland, Austria, and Germany, countries he stressed Hungary shares strong bonds with.

Legacy of Orbán and EU Tensions

Orbán’s tenure was marked by criticism of the EU and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky for prolonging the war. His campaign accused the EU of fueling Russia’s full-scale invasion. Last month, Orbán blocked a €90bn EU loan to Kyiv, drawing accusations of disloyalty. Magyar acknowledged the war’s impact on Ukraine but argued every Hungarian understands its Russian origins. “The war makes no sense from a Russian perspective,” he said, noting the loss of thousands of Russian lives and families, including Russian-speaking communities in Ukraine.

Orbán’s government had EU allies but was unique in attempting to veto a loan he had earlier approved. Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic secured an opt-out at a December summit, which Orbán later used to block aid. His ties to Russia faced scrutiny after Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó admitted sharing information with Russian officials about sanctions before and after EU meetings. A leaked comment, where Szijjártó told Sergei Lavrov, “I am at your service,” prompted Orbán to launch a wiretapping investigation.

Controversy Over Confidential Documents

During Monday’s press conference, Magyar was handed a note alleging that outgoing Foreign Minister Szijjártó had shredded confidential documents related to sanctions with Russian officials in the ministry building. No official response was issued from the ministry. Magyar’s team emphasized the importance of transparency, framing the incident as a sign of Orbán’s government prioritizing Russian interests over European unity.