During a conversation with Putin, Orban offered to be "a mouse helping a lion" - Bloomberg

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, during a phone conversation with Vladimir Putin, stated that he was ready to take significant steps to help the Russian leader, including facilitating a settlement of the war in Ukraine by organizing a summit in Budapest. He also offered to be a "mouse" helping a "lion." This is reported by UNN with reference to Bloomberg, which reviewed the transcript of the call.

Details

In particular, the head of the Hungarian government promised to facilitate a possible summit between Russia and the United States in Budapest.

According to Bloomberg, Orbán told Putin that he could be useful "in any matter." The publication also writes that the conversation took place on October 17, 2025, and was further evidence of close contacts between Budapest and the Kremlin amid Russia's war against Ukraine.

After that conversation, the Kremlin officially stated that Orbán "expressed readiness to create conditions" for a possible Russia-US summit in Budapest. The report also said that Putin informed the Hungarian prime minister about contacts with the American side.

Conversation between Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orbán: context

It should be noted that Bloomberg's publication appeared a few days before the parliamentary elections in Hungary, which are to be held on April 12. Currently, Orbán, who has been in power for 16 years, is now facing the most serious challenge from the opposition Tisza party led by Péter Magyar, and independent polls show the opposition's advantage over the pro-government forces.

In addition, the media information also "highlights" the foreign policy context. After all, according to information previously published by Reuters, US Vice President J.D. Vance arrived in Budapest on April 7 to support Orbán ahead of the elections.

Relations between Budapest and Kyiv: what is known as of now

Hungary continues to block the 90-billion-euro aid package to Ukraine from the EU, linking its position to the dispute over oil supplies through "Druzhba."

In addition, in early March, the conflict between Kyiv and Budapest escalated after the Hungarian authorities detained Ukrainian citizens who were transporting cash and gold from Austria to Ukraine, and subsequently withheld part of the seized funds.

In particular, Reuters noted that this episode further worsened the already strained relations between the two countries.