Orbán Calls for End to Russia Sanctions Post-Trump Inauguration “`

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán anticipates a shift in Western policy following President-elect Trump’s inauguration.

Orbán, in a Kossuth Radio interview, urged the European Union to lift sanctions against Russia, imposed due to the Ukraine conflict. He contends these sanctions harm the EU more than Russia, a stance Budapest has consistently maintained. Following Trump’s inauguration, Orbán believes a new era will begin, prompting a reassessment of the West’s approach to Moscow.

He advocated for the complete removal of sanctions, aiming for a sanction-free relationship with Russia by 2025.

Orbán highlighted Hungary’s efforts during its EU Council presidency, claiming to have prioritized peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

Last summer, Orbán’s “peace mission” – involving visits to Kyiv, Moscow, Beijing, and then-candidate Trump – drew criticism within the EU, with officials questioning his representation of the bloc.

Acknowledging the limitations of Hungary’s role, Orbán expressed confidence in passing the responsibility of resolving the conflict to President-elect Trump.

Trump’s campaign promises included a swift resolution to the Ukraine crisis, though details remained scarce. Russia’s Foreign Minister Lavrov expressed openness to examining proposals from the new administration.

Concerns arose within the EU, as reported by the Financial Times, about Trump potentially reversing US sanctions against Russia.

However, Trump’s nominee for Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, testified before the Senate, stating his commitment to strengthening sanctions, particularly against Russian oil companies, to compel Russia’s cooperation. Bessent further suggested that Biden’s sanctions were insufficient.