A political adviser to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has said that Hungary is considering joining forces with the Czech Republic and Slovakia to form an alliance within the European Union against aid to Ukraine, writes Politico.
Orbán hopes to unite with the populist Andrej Babiš, who won the Czech parliamentary elections, and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, to form a united position on Ukraine before EU meetings. While a firm political alliance is unlikely, the formation could significantly affect the EU’s efforts to financially and militarily support Ukraine.
Balázs Orbán, an adviser to the prime minister, said that an alliance is possible and will become increasingly visible. He added that this type of alliance has already worked very well on migration issues, and that it is the only way Hungary has managed to hold out. The politician was referring to the so-called “Visegrad 4” group, which includes Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland.
The group disintegrated after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as Poland supports Ukraine, while Hungary has maintained friendly relations with Moscow. A new alliance could be formed from the three countries, as Poland’s current Prime Minister Donald Tusk advocates support for war-torn Ukraine and is unlikely to cooperate with Orbán.
Meanwhile,
Babiš and Fico have sided with Orbán, calling for dialogue with Moscow rather than economic pressure.
Babiš has been criticized for his outspoken skepticism about supporting Ukraine. The Czech Republic’s current foreign minister has warned that Babiš could become Orbán’s puppet at the Council of Europe negotiating table.
However, even under such circumstances, the formation of an alliance will take time. Fico, who was re-elected in 2023, has so far avoided forming a formal alliance with Orbán in certain policy areas, while Babiš must first form a government and become prime minister.
An adviser to the Hungarian prime minister said that Hungary’s desire to form political alliances goes beyond the Council of Europe, and Orbán’s party “Fidesz,” which is part of the European far-right alliance, could form partnerships in the European Parliament. He named several European far-right parties as possible partners. The adviser added that even the big parties will sooner or later turn against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and pointed out that
far-right parties also have a well-developed network of think tanks, which also operate widely in Brussels.
The think tank MCC Brussels, which receives much of its funding from allies of the Hungarian prime minister and is chaired by his political adviser, has been trying to expand its influence in Brussels since 2022.
Orbán, who has been in power for the past 15 years, faces a challenging election in 2026, in which he could lose. Polls show that the opposition’s strongest party is currently leading the incumbent Fidesz. Asked about the election, the prime minister’s adviser said it would be tough as always and blamed Brussels for orchestrating efforts to change politics in Hungary.
The European Commission has said that decisions to withhold EU funds to Hungary are related to Budapest’s unwillingness to comply with EU law, not a political agenda.
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