Viktor Orban marks the 68th anniversary of the Hungarian Uprising of 1956 in Budapest on Oct. 23.
Photographer: Akos Stiller/BloombergEurope
Trump’s Man in Europe Gambles on Return of His American Ally
Viktor Orban relishes being the EU’s nationalist rebel with close ties to Putin. The US election is now a key moment for the Hungarian strongman.
Viktor Orban made his loyalties clear when he landed in Georgia this week. As protesters disputed an election victory for its pro-Russian leadership, Hungary’s prime minister congratulated the country for choosing not to become the next Ukraine.
The trip to Tbilisi was a bold move, even for a leader who has made no secret of his coziness with Russia and disregard for the European Union. But with all eyes now on voting in the US, the timing was as important as the optics.