And here he is again — Hungary’s answer to Benedict Arnold, Guy Fawkes, and Vidkun Quisling — the one and only Viktor Orban. The man who would sell Ukraine to Russia; ease visa restrictions for Russians and Belarusians, giving them access to Europe’s open-border Schengen zone; and cozy up to China’s Xi Jinping and his so-called Belt and Road Initiative.

In July, as Hungary assumed the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union Council, he undertook his own personal, unauthorized “shuttle diplomacy” program, visiting both Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, offering his alleged expertise to solve the problem of Russia’s ongoing war of attrition against Ukraine . . . as though it were merely an argument between two farmers over the grazing rights for their cows. As is tragically obvious three months later, he didn’t get very far; the war goes on.

But he doesn’t give up easily. In a speech to the European Parliament on Wednesday, despite meeting with protest over his authoritarian rule in Hungary and his friendly relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he had this to say:

“The European Union needs to change, and I would like to convince you about that today. Our union needs to change, and the presidency wants to be the catalyst for this change.” [DW, October 9, 2024.] He said that the escalating conflict in the Middle East would prompt a “migration crisis” that might cause the Schengen open border system to “fall apart.” [Id.]

But wait a minute. Is this the same man who wants to let all the Russians and Belarusians into Hungary, thence to roam freely through virtually all of Western Europe? . . .

His comments, happily, did not go unchallenged.

Terry Reintke, co-leader of the Green bloc, told Orban: “You are not welcome here, this is the house of European democracy.” [Id.]

And Manfred Weber, leader of the conservative European People’s Party, was dismayed that Orban had not uttered a “single sentence” in regard to Ukraine’s continuing battle against the Russian invasion. With reference to Orban’s trip to Moscow in July, he bluntly stated the truth: “Your trip was never a peace mission. It was a big propaganda show for the autocrats.” [Id.]

And then Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, had her say, first taking aim at Hungary’s failure to to join its EU partners in helping Ukraine; and at its strengthening ties with Moscow and Beijing:

“The world has witnessed the atrocities of Russia’s war. And yet, there are still some who blame this war not on the invader but the invaded.

“There are still some who blame this war not on [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s lust for power but on Ukraine’s thirst for freedom. So I want to ask them, would they ever blame the Hungarians for the Soviet invasion in 1956?” [Lili Bayer, Reuters, October 9, 2024.]

Bull’s-eye!

Orban could only respond that he was “surprised” by her speech, and he rejected any comparison between Hungary’s failed 1956 uprising against Soviet rule and Ukraine’s current fight in defense of its territory. He then reiterated his call for a ceasefire in Ukraine. [Id.]

But von der Leyen wasn’t finished with him:

“How can it be that the Hungarian government invites Russian nationals into our union without additional security checks? This makes the new Hungarian visa scheme a security risk not only for Hungary, but for all member states.

“How can it be that the Hungarian government would allow Chinese police to operate within its territory? This is not defending Europe’s sovereignty, this is a backdoor for foreign interference.” [Id.]

*. *. *

For the Prime Minister of a country that is a full-fledged member of both the European Union and NATO, Orban’s stance is nothing short of a betrayal of the principles of both organizations — not to mention, of Hungary itself. But he is, at least until the next election, still the head of his government.

And that makes him dangerous.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
10/11/24