Viktor Orban Dominates Italian Press

Italian newspapers acknowledge that, as promised, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has stood by his previous position. He advocates for negotiations with the United States and Russia instead of further arming Ukraine.

Hungarian PM Viktor Orban (Photo: AFP)

For the third day in a row, the Italian press has been covering Hungarian PM Viktor Orban and the extraordinary EU summit in Brussels. Accordint to Italian newspapers that closely monitored Orban’s every move, the Hungarian leader has become isolated. As the most experienced European leader in the European Council, Orban did not support further arming of Ukraine, Adnkronos writes. They continue by quoting European Council President António Costa, who stated that Hungary has isolated itself from the EU, but this does not indicate a division.

The Italian press also highlights Prime Minister Orban’s sharp response, stating that it is the European Union that has isolated itself from the United States, Russia, and China.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Photo: AFP

Unlike Brussels, Budapest maintains excellent relations with the great powers.

The Ansa news agency cites a later statement by the Hungarian prime minister, in which he explained that Brussels has become isolated from the United States and China due to the trade war, and from Russia due to its sanctions policy. Therefore, if anyone is isolated, it is the European Union. Italian newspapers also emphasize that Viktor Orban could not be broken, unlike Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who, initially against arming Ukraine, was convinced to change his stance with the promise of gas transit.

Rai News also quotes Orban Viktor’s doubts regarding the lack of real financial backing for Ukraine, stating that in Brussels, a passionate coalition has formed, but they only have a theory on their hands.

According to the Il Libero Quotidiano newspaper, Orban Viktor's announcement that he initiated a consultative vote in his country could be a political time bomb for Brussels and the future of the European Union. The paper emphasizes that Hungary's prime minister was the only one who opposed the rearmament initiated by Ursula von der Leyen.

They quote Viktor Orban’s words, stating that we now have a situation in which one must make a choice between war and peace.

The leaders of 26 member states supported the continuation of the war, with Hungary being the only one to stand for peace.

Cover photo: Hungarian PM Viktor Orban (Photo: AFP)