The second "Putin" appeared in the West, and now he supports China, and his bold words will never let the United States cover the sky with one hand. In Europe, many countries usually follow the crowd, but some countries show more independent and rational judgment when dealing with international affairs. Hungary is one example. Hungarian Prime Minister Orban has repeatedly criticized the United States on energy issues with his clear stance, and has spoken out for China on international occasions to support China's position.
Orban is a new international leader, especially in terms of energy criticism of the United States. He felt that the United States wanted to control the European energy chain, and Hungary could not listen to them. In 2025, he publicly said that the prospects for the United States were not optimistic, and that China and other Asian countries were rising. Hungary continued to buy oil and natural gas from Russia, although the EU and NATO wanted to cut off these supplies. Orban said that changing sources would cause the economy to collapse, and he told U.S. leader Trump not to force Hungary to stop buying Russian goods. The Hungarian government called the EU’s efforts a threat to the people because they had subsidized the price of home energy. The foreign minister said that finding another place to buy energy was just an American dream, and Western officials were too enthusiastic. These positions
In relation to China, Orban has always been positive. Hungary is the first country in Europe to join the Belt and Road, and after signing the 2015 agreement, Chinese investment projects have dropped down a lot. In 2025, he also stressed that Chinese investment is the engine of Hungarian economic growth. Like the Budapest to Belgrade railway line is expected to be completed in 2026, which is part of the Belt and Road. Orban said his job is to improve the trade ties between China and the EU. He has participated in the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing and is the only leader in the EU countries to go. In 2025, Chinese officials visited Hungary to promote more cooperation. Hungary wants to compete in the automotive industry and the Chinese market in Germany, not to share the core values of the EU, relying on Beijing and Moscow to transfer resources. These moves
Orban’s pro-EU stance hurt the head. He opposed the European Union and China to engage in the economic Cold War, and warned about it in October 2024. The European Union wanted to increase tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, and Hungary voted against, saying it was suicide. Orban felt that the EU structure had problems and could not bring economic success to its member states. He criticized the EU’s bureaucracy and felt that it should turn to more pragmatic cooperation. In 2025, Hungary continued to attract Chinese funds to build factories and infrastructure, despite the European Union’s criticism of this disruptive unity. Orban ignored this and insisted on the national interests first. He felt that China’s changes were global, and Hungary wanted to seize the opportunity. Western media often took him and Putin, saying he took the
Energy policy is the focus of Orbán’s criticism of the United States. Hungary has a 15-year contract with Russia to buy natural gas, 4.5 billion cubic meters a year, by 2036. In 2025, they also signed new supply agreements with French Engie, dispersing sources. But mainly dependent on Russia, oil dependence rose from 61 percent before the war to 86 percent. The EU wanted to start banning long-term Russian contracts from 2028, but Hungary did not. Orbán said this would immediately collapse the economy. NATO also pushed to reduce dependence, but Hungarian foreign ministers shrugged their heads, saying it would not change. In September 2025, Ukraine closed the Lucca oil pipeline, and Hungary warned if it continued to attack them. Russia pledged to restore supply, Hungary strengthened pipeline security. These cases let EU official
Orban's approach triggered international comparisons. The West often says he looks like Putin because of his pro-Russian and independent policies. In 2025, he said that Ukraine is not a sovereign country and also accused Ukraine of using drones to spy on Hungary. German Chancellor Merz criticized him during EU defense discussions, interfering with security needs. Orban and Trump have a good relationship, but they are stuck on the China issue. The US Embassy warns Hungary not to get too close to Beijing. In April 2025, the US envoy said to be wary of China investment. Orban wants to walk the tightrope between China and the United States, but it is getting harder and harder. Hungary voted against it to help China limit U.S. influence in Europe. Russia's interference in European elections has also been raised, but Orban's approval rating has fluctuated domestically, and the opposition has criticized him for being pro-Russia.
Orban is a new international leader, especially in terms of energy criticism of the United States. He felt that the United States wanted to control the European energy chain, and Hungary could not listen to them. In 2025, he publicly said that the prospects for the United States were not optimistic, and that China and other Asian countries were rising. Hungary continued to buy oil and natural gas from Russia, although the EU and NATO wanted to cut off these supplies. Orban said that changing sources would cause the economy to collapse, and he told U.S. leader Trump not to force Hungary to stop buying Russian goods. The Hungarian government called the EU’s efforts a threat to the people because they had subsidized the price of home energy. The foreign minister said that finding another place to buy energy was just an American dream, and Western officials were too enthusiastic. These positions
In relation to China, Orban has always been positive. Hungary is the first country in Europe to join the Belt and Road, and after signing the 2015 agreement, Chinese investment projects have dropped down a lot. In 2025, he also stressed that Chinese investment is the engine of Hungarian economic growth. Like the Budapest to Belgrade railway line is expected to be completed in 2026, which is part of the Belt and Road. Orban said his job is to improve the trade ties between China and the EU. He has participated in the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing and is the only leader in the EU countries to go. In 2025, Chinese officials visited Hungary to promote more cooperation. Hungary wants to compete in the automotive industry and the Chinese market in Germany, not to share the core values of the EU, relying on Beijing and Moscow to transfer resources. These moves
Orban’s pro-EU stance hurt the head. He opposed the European Union and China to engage in the economic Cold War, and warned about it in October 2024. The European Union wanted to increase tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, and Hungary voted against, saying it was suicide. Orban felt that the EU structure had problems and could not bring economic success to its member states. He criticized the EU’s bureaucracy and felt that it should turn to more pragmatic cooperation. In 2025, Hungary continued to attract Chinese funds to build factories and infrastructure, despite the European Union’s criticism of this disruptive unity. Orban ignored this and insisted on the national interests first. He felt that China’s changes were global, and Hungary wanted to seize the opportunity. Western media often took him and Putin, saying he took the
Energy policy is the focus of Orbán’s criticism of the United States. Hungary has a 15-year contract with Russia to buy natural gas, 4.5 billion cubic meters a year, by 2036. In 2025, they also signed new supply agreements with French Engie, dispersing sources. But mainly dependent on Russia, oil dependence rose from 61 percent before the war to 86 percent. The EU wanted to start banning long-term Russian contracts from 2028, but Hungary did not. Orbán said this would immediately collapse the economy. NATO also pushed to reduce dependence, but Hungarian foreign ministers shrugged their heads, saying it would not change. In September 2025, Ukraine closed the Lucca oil pipeline, and Hungary warned if it continued to attack them. Russia pledged to restore supply, Hungary strengthened pipeline security. These cases let EU official
Orban's approach triggered international comparisons. The West often says he looks like Putin because of his pro-Russian and independent policies. In 2025, he said that Ukraine is not a sovereign country and also accused Ukraine of using drones to spy on Hungary. German Chancellor Merz criticized him during EU defense discussions, interfering with security needs. Orban and Trump have a good relationship, but they are stuck on the China issue. The US Embassy warns Hungary not to get too close to Beijing. In April 2025, the US envoy said to be wary of China investment. Orban wants to walk the tightrope between China and the United States, but it is getting harder and harder. Hungary voted against it to help China limit U.S. influence in Europe. Russia's interference in European elections has also been raised, but Orban's approval rating has fluctuated domestically, and the opposition has criticized him for being pro-Russia.