The editor-in-chief of Weltwoche wants to implement the vision of Hungarian Prime Minister Charles de Gaulle.
As is known, Viktor Orbán's first visit abroad during the EU presidency led to Ukraine. Roger Köppel, the editor-in-chief of the Swiss weekly Weltwoche, also traveled with the Prime Minister, who wrote a lengthy article about his experiences, in which he presented the Hungarian Prime Minister's vision for the next six months ahead of Europe.
According to Köppel's report, the prime minister explained that during the Hungarian presidency he will try to identify the world's most important crisis zones from a European perspective, and he wants to define the continent's position in the world in the most realistic way. In the future, he also wants to deal with Lebanon, the Balkans and the Sahel region.
"Viktor Orbán's most important priority, however, is Ukraine: Hundreds and thousands of young people die on the front line every day. This must be put to an end as soon as possible".
The editor-in-chief of Weltwoche recalled that during an interview last year, the Hungarian minister said "that the EU as a political factor no longer exists, it is a puppet of foreign interests". However, this will change now, according to the Hungarian Prime Minister, the timing is favorable, political changes are coming in the United States, the Prime Minister stated during the trip.
According to Köppel's report, when asked how long the summit had been planned, Orbán gave a "surprising answer":
"We decided on him spontaneously during his visit to the European Council last Thursday".
Regarding why Zelensky would accept his proposals, Orbán said: because "he is in trouble".
A change of government is on the horizon in the United States, and Trump will return, but he will negotiate directly with Vladimir Putin, leaving out Zelensky and the European Union, explained the Prime Minister. "In this case, Zelensky has nothing to gain, but he can lose a lot. I have to make this clear to him," he added.
The prime minister's goal is to turn the EU, which is controlled remotely from the United States, into a union that takes an active role again, Köppel wrote.
Regarding the fact that the Union has de facto banned anyone from negotiating with the Russian president, the Hungarian Prime Minister says that the dialogue with Russia can be restarted with the help of the Ukrainian president. "If he initiates the cease-fire negotiations, the Europeans will not object," said Viktor Orbán, who also added that this should precede the American presidential election.
According to Köppel, Orbán has gathered many old, loyal and intelligent allies around him.
"Europe's longest-serving prime minister is a charismatic, down-to-earth person, but also a brilliant, humorous, hard-hitting orator, full of respect."
During the trip, they also talked about the fact that Europe's old elite is falling and the West is changing. Orbán is almost certain that Trump will win the election. "He is the best thing that could happen to the world". At the same time, voters in Europe are just now replacing the old elite.
According to the Prime Minister, a chapter of post-war European history is closing. The chapter began with the fall of the Berlin Wall, followed by the eastward expansion of the EU and NATO. This phase is now irrevocably coming to an end.
According to Viktor Orbán, the European peoples sent three messages during the European elections:
"First of all, they shouted to the old fighters of NATO enlargement: Go to hell! We want peace, not war. The second message is about migration. We are suffering, but you can't even solve border control? Disappear! Thirdly: you have a disastrous green policy. The Green Deal is a disaster. It destroys prosperity. And Europe is burning more coal than ever. We need a new elite. Disappear!”
Köppel also touched on the new conservative faction of the EP, which was founded by Viktor Orbán with FPÖ president Herbert Kickl and former Czech prime minister Andrej Babis. According to the editor-in-chief of Weltwoche, the name of the Patriots for Europe faction is "cleverly chosen". It summarizes what is important to Viktor Orbán: patriotism, but not excessive nationalism. For Europe:
Orbán is not fighting against Europe, but for a better Europe, in which the member states have more say in the processes.
According to him, this is the old vision of Charles de Gaulle, "the Europe of nations". He added that Viktor Orbán is convinced that Marine Le Pen will also join. Giorgia Meloni remains aloof.
The Hungarian Prime Minister respects both women very much. "I had a very good relationship with Le Pen and Meloni even when they were still considered lepers in Europe". On the other hand, he views the German AfD critically: "The party must learn self-control. Otherwise, it poses a risk to others”.
Viktor Orbán also admits that Hungary is too small to carry out the conservative turn on the continent alone. "I am the builder, the facilitator. Others have to lead, said the Prime Minister.
Köppel recalled that Orbán wanted to visit the Ukrainian capital before, but was always "dissuaded" from the visit "citing security reasons".
It seems that the Ukrainian authorities do not like it when critics enter their territory, Köppel wrote. He wrote the following about his impressions after the trial: "The relationship between the two does not seem particularly cordial. There is no ice age, but the connection is a bit frosty, the room temperature is much lower than outside.”
Returning to the Hungarian embassy, after the negotiation, Köppel learned that the Ukrainian president insisted on the "unworldly" demand that peace could only come after a military victory against Putin.
"I will ask Viktor Orbán if he is disappointed. He answers no.
It takes many attempts, long nights on bumpy roads, travel, trials and conversations during which one might even catch a cold," Köppel wrote.
Cover photo: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
Source: MTI/Prime Minister's Press Office/Zoltán Fischer
