After Orbán, Hungary Is Falling Out of Love with Russia

In the leadup to this year’s elections in Hungary, then–Prime Minister Viktor Orbán castigated Ukrainian leaders for calling on the country to give up its importation of cheap Russian energy.

“Anyone who says this is an enemy of Hungary, so Ukraine is our enemy,” Orbán said at a February rally. Since taking office in 2010, Orbán has pursued closer relations with Russia, refusing to reverse course even after Russia invaded Ukraine despite the demands of erstwhile allies in the European Union and NATO.

About the Author

Charles Hilu

Charles Hilu is a national affairs reporter at National Review. A graduate of the University of Michigan, he previously worked at the Washington Free Beacon and The Dispatch before joining National Review in 2026.

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In the leadup to this year’s elections in Hungary, then–Prime Minister Viktor Orbán castigated Ukrainian leaders for calling on the country to give up its importation of cheap Russian energy.

“Anyone who says this is an enemy of Hungary, so Ukraine is our enemy,” Orbán said at a February rally. Since taking office in 2010, Orbán has pursued closer relations with Russia, refusing to reverse course even after Russia invaded Ukraine despite the demands of erstwhile allies in the European Union and NATO.

About the Author

Charles Hilu

Charles Hilu is a national affairs reporter at National Review. A graduate of the University of Michigan, he previously worked at the Washington Free Beacon and The Dispatch before joining National Review in 2026.