Orbán goes all in: secret deal with Moscow surfaces ahead of elections.
Politico has revealed a secret agreement between Hungary and Russia, signed back in December.
The 12-point plan was coordinated by Szijjártó and Lavrov. The document covers almost everything: Energy, trade, education, and culture.
It also includes discussions about allowing Russian companies into projects inside Hungary and restoring trade that declined due to EU sanctions.
Hungary is ready to expand Russian language education, recognize diplomas, and launch cultural and educational exchanges. All of this is seen as part of the Kremlin’s so-called soft power strategy.
The information surfaced just days before the elections, where Orbán is facing a real risk of losing for the first time in years.
Earlier, the Hungarian prime minister had openly flattered Putin, comparing him to a lion and himself to a mouse, promising to do everything possible to help Moscow.
370
Brennenstein3 days ago
+270
>The 12-point plan was coordinated by Szijjártó and Lavrov.
To the surprise of absolutely no one. Szijjártó is a russian asset. I really f****** hope that we'll get rid of these goons, there are four days left till the election, wish us luck.
270
406highlander3 days ago
+87
Sincerely - good luck.
87
ineyy3 days ago
+34
Considering the lack of free media in Hungary question is if more than a few people will even hear about it.
34
Not_Tom_Jones3 days ago
+30
Good luck! I hope everyone goes to vote.
But to be honest... When has an established autocracy ever given up power by means of a democratic process? I really hope my concern is wrong though.
30
Brennenstein3 days ago
+35
Opinion polls show that we might see a record high attendance.
Poland also stepped on the illiberal path, but the populist Law and Justice party lost in 2023, and things took a turn.
I understand your concerns though. We've been living in this nightmare for 16 consecutive years, and we know that Orban will rig the elections in some way. However, every single poll shows that the opposition is far ahead of Orbán's Fidesz, and there's at least 2-3 scandals every day here. Orbán lost his charm, his remaining followers are panicking, and his false flag operation near Serbia failed recently.
Everything points towards his fall, unlike before.
35
Not_Tom_Jones3 days ago
+11
Okay, that's at least a little encouraging, making me mildly optimistic.
I'll be following along next weekend and rooting for you!
11
Chaplain-Freeing2 days ago
+6
> Orbán lost his charm
They're going to have to look very very hard to find it again.
6
Tabbyredcat2 days ago
+5
Question: are international observers attending? I guess they are Hungary being EU, but with this guy....
5
NoSong23973 days ago
+9
South Korea, 1987?
9
digital_cucumber3 days ago
+8
Unfortunately, if anything's their bosses are good at, it's fixing elections.
8
ContentsMayVary3 days ago
+14
Best of luck!
14
NoSong23973 days ago
+4
Indeed. Good luck.
4
sg19point32 days ago
+3
I hope you will. But remember, you are dealing with russians, and they never play by the rules, not in Olympics, not in war, not in elections. They will cheat, hack, stuff ballots, create false flags etc
3
slow702 days ago
+2
Genuinely wishing you a tomorrow free of these crooks.
2
Bunnymancer3 days ago
+26
Dear Hungary.
Vote Hungary first.
Not Russia first.
26
alexwan122 days ago
+3
Reminds me of similar agreements between russia and Ukrainine in 2010. Annexation of Szabolcs county by 2030 incoming?
3
buythedipnow2 days ago
+3
Explains why Vance went there to cheerlead
3
UhhmericanJoe2 days ago
+3
Any word on Hungarian voters’ reaction?
3
MichaelBealesBurner3 days ago
+85
Absolutely pathetic
85
guvbums3 days ago
+76
My family had to flee Hungary because of Russia back in the 50's.. I just can't imagine how short the memories of the general population are in allowing this to happen.
76
joedotdog2 days ago
+8
Maternal side of things here fled in the 30s...reasons and all.
I'd say it's astounding at the impact of propaganda and indoctrination, but one doesn't need to look far to see it in the US.
8
AdSuitable3101 day ago
+2
What's even worse is, that the events of '56 are not completely forgotten: it is actually a national holiday, where every year memorial celebrations are held to not forget those events. And yes, even orban and his fans gather every year to reminiscence of those events, except they still can not put 2 and 2 together. I just can't anymore.
2
guvbums1 day ago
+1
It's a hard road, my friend.. a hard road.
1
glaringOwl2 days ago
-7
Alliances change all the time though. At the start of the 20th century, France and Russia were good allies. Great Britain and France used to hate each other for centuries before but now they're allies. Sweden and Denmark went at war with each other several times hundreds of years before that but that'd be unthinkable today.
We could go on and on. My point being I don't think historic regimes and conditions should fully influence decisions made today.
-7
Blastoise_6132 days ago
+11
>My point being I don't think historic regimes and conditions should fully influence decisions made today.
Its barely historical that Russia has aggressively invaded Hungary's neighbour 4 years ago and continues to this day.
11
daniel_22sss1 day ago
+1
Russia behaves exactly as it did 50 years ago.
1
rockoutsober3 days ago
+149
The same Hungary, where Vance is currently preaching for Orban?
149
--Blaise--3 days ago
+41
Of course
41
Galaghan2 days ago
+10
Well yeah that's why it's in the news now.
10
RatherEnglish3 days ago
+35
2026, the year of the x-point-plans
35
jjpamsterdam3 days ago
+14
I always ask myself what these Russian assets are hetting out of selling their own countries out? Probably money in some offshore bank account, but other than that? Russia has surprisingly little to offen to countries that bow to its will. Russia obviously has an abundance of natural resources but is struggling to get them to market as is, so preferential treatment on that issue seems difficult. Money for economic development is obviuosly not going to happen, given that Russia is financially strained. Defense cooperation is also difficult, since Russia is stretched in that regard as well. What in the world are the people who vote for these Russian assets even thinking that their country could ever get out of subservience to Russia that they couldn't get out of cooperation with European partners?
14
merryman13 days ago
+6
I don't think its as much what Russia can offer individuals, but about copying the Russian social and political model into their home countries.
6
bubosamobe3 days ago
+49
Whats more pathetic than orban is hungarians voting for him and the ones who just let this happen to their own country.
49
Material-Garbage70742 days ago
-7
The European institutions have allowed this to happen too, haven’t they? What’s more, a recent documentary shows how Orbán’s party has extorted votes from rural communities through blackmail
-7
bubosamobe1 day ago
+1
Absolutely. But at scale the first one to fail are the local powers. Hungarians are the first to blame.
1
Material-Garbage70741 day ago
+1
I'm afraid it's more complicated than that: this documentary ( https://youtu.be/ZCwQR5HRWR8?si=tYxfMIdy6T3BKwXf) tells how Orbán's party threatened rural residents with taking their children away, or depriving them of electricity, jobs or medical care just to get their vote. Or, again, the population is kept in poverty so that their vote can be bought in exchange for food or drug addiction is facilitated so that the vote can be exchanged for drugs (I'm not Hungarian, so I ask any Hungarian to correct me if I misunderstood the documentary).
I fear that the European institutions, on the other hand, acted too late in the years when Orbán was devouring Hungary from within and have shown that they were unable to protect the rights of their citizens within their borders. One might think that the European Union does not have the strength to succeed, but I believe that when we talk about institutions that demand a certain type of obedience, not being strong enough to protect their citizens within their borders is no excuse, but rather a fault. The problems of a nation are European problems and must be thoroughly resolved within a European framework (taking into account the principle of subsidiarity, of course), not telling them to fend for themselves (I don't have anything against you, it's my general position on the topic).
Since I am European, Hungarians are my fellow European citizens towards whom I share those duties of fraternity that bind those who share a common project (as well as our common duties towards humanity). I don't want to abandon them, also because it would mean believing that this bond has no value. I do not want to imagine myself abandoning these fellow European citizens of mine who are already suffering.
1
Serious_Instance71863 days ago
-85
Imagine people wanting more comfortable and cheaper life, lol
-85
Glittering-Yam-2883 days ago
+58
Yeah being a Russian puppet state is neither going to be comfortable nor c****.
EU is actively trying to raise living standards in the union in less developed countries like Hungary while Russia, well, take a look around at living standards in Belarus, chechnya, you name it, lol
58
Serious_Instance71862 days ago
-8
Belarus? It’s actually a nice place to leave in.
-8
yonce_3333 days ago
+29
Coming from a Russian, that’s rich. You’re practically the experts at bartering your soul for a 'c**** and easy' existence
29
Serious_Instance71862 days ago
-2
Not a Russian
-2
yonce_3332 days ago
+3
A Russified Kazakh, no difference, the same Russian worldview
3
Serious_Instance71862 days ago
+1
No, not a fan of russia
1
catperson777892 days ago
+12
Delusional asf
12
Smartimess3 days ago
+28
The Orbán Crime Syndicate should be labeled as a foreign agent in Putin’s service and the EU must cut ties to Hungary until it is fully disbanded.
28
Drenosa3 days ago
+10
Preparing for "peaceful" annexation and nothing less than that.
10
dimwalker3 days ago
+9
Closer ties? For anything closer than it is already, putin would have to wear orban as a suit.
9
taisui3 days ago
+110
Kick them out of EU and NATO
110
betam4x3 days ago
+45
The EU has no mechanism for this, and lacks the backbone to do it anyway.
This world has a problem with tolerance. Shitty behavior from any country should not be tolerated.
45
W313373 days ago
+7
They can all vote to kick them out or ghost them.
7
Wonderful-Pause10483 days ago
-7
Alle, richtig. Dazu gehört O aus U. Es muss ein neues Gesetz beschlossen werden.
-7
Mandemon903 days ago
+7
It's not problem of tolerance, both EU and NATO were build on idea "We stand or fall together", rather than "We stand together, and if you start to lean we throw you out"
7
letir_2 days ago
+1
What about idea of traitor who directly selling himself to enemy for money and power? Does military alliance have something to say about member who willing sell everything to enemy?
1
justlurkshere3 days ago
The EU is a fair-weather union, the current shape mostly stemming from the very optimistic views from the liberal 90ies. The focus was on expansion and that tackling bad faith members was never going to be an issue.
0
ChronChriss2 days ago
+7
Great idea. Let's create another enemy state right at EU borders that supports Putin.
The problem is not Hungary. It's Orban and his cronies.
7
Soft-Skirt3 days ago
+2
It’s better to keep them within the EU, but NATO that’s a different matter.
2
Material-Garbage70742 days ago
What do you mean?
0
glaringOwl2 days ago
-8
As much as you may dislike Hungary here, their place in the EU is actually good for everyone because they act as a neutral 'bridge' in the divide between EU and Russia. There are plenty of other examples of countries that "play both sides" between competing forces, like Turkey, China and India.
-8
HoightyToighty2 days ago
+3
> their place in the EU is actually good for everyone
Right, of course, an EU member cozying up to Russia, which is attacking a European country, is really an asset to Europe.
At a time when Europe needs solidarity, you believe it's best that Europe coddles its weak links.
3
totallyRebb2 days ago
+5
If Orban loves Russia so much, he should just move to Moscow. They collect shady politicians there.
5
HotPotatoWithCheese3 days ago
+42
The fact that these traitors can only leave the EU voluntarily based on some article introduced nearly 20 years ago is ridiculous, and it really highlights some of the downsides of rigid EU bureaucracy. They need to bring in a new law that allows for the expulsion of member states if they actively work to undermine the union.
42
Neobullseye13 days ago
+6
"They need to bring in a new law that allows for the expulsion of member states if they actively work to undermine the union."
Which would then be promptly veto'd by the same member states that are currently undermining said union. Pretty much the only way to solve that problem is for everyone else to exit the EU and immediately join a EU 2.0 which would allow for harder sanctions or even expulsions of members that act like that, but that's one hell of a legal/bureaucratic nightmare in its own right.
6
LaoBa3 days ago
-1
That's not bureaucracy, that's have seen rules that cannot be just overlooked when you want to.
-1
yenot_of_luv2 days ago
+7
Closer than now? Orban is already pregnant with putin's baby, how much closer it can get?
7
Sweet_Look_12362 days ago
+1
Get the baby pregnant
1
redsquizza3 days ago
+5
I hope to God Orban is out of office come the election.
And if he isn't the EU grows some balls and starts the process to exclude them from decisions relating to pretty much everything of importance.
5
swizzcheez3 days ago
+4
It's spring and "peace" is in the air.
4
Othmar253 days ago
+4
Eww
4
visualthings2 days ago
+4
will Hungarian kids still learn about 1956? Will the Terror Museum be converted into a shopping mall?
4
Heavy_Secret_2033 days ago
+8
Come on, Hungary, go for it! Serve russians well and get your own Hungarian Transnistria/South Osetia/DPR episode in a decade. Nothing bad will ever happen!
8
Boys4Ever3 days ago
+3
Is this even allowed by NATO or at a minimum by the intent of having NATO?
3
watch_out_4_snakes2 days ago
+3
Does Hungary not have its own history and culture apart from Russia?
3
NickySmithFromPGH2 days ago
+2
At this point ... Hungary might accept it if Russia offers to buy them out ... just to have the closest ties possible
2
PippaTulip3 days ago
+3
Why is Hungary still in the EU, living of EU subsidies?
3
Material-Garbage70742 days ago
-4
What do you mean?
-4
Marsu20202 days ago
+4
Hungary should be excluded from EU.
4
Material-Garbage70742 days ago
-1
What do you mean?
-1
Wonderful-Pause10483 days ago
+2
Oban raus ! Orban raus !
2
Material-Garbage70742 days ago
-3
What do you mean?
-3
Ellixhirion2 days ago
+2
When will the EU suspend Hungarys membership…
2
Material-Garbage70742 days ago
-1
What do you mean?
-1
MachoSmurf3 days ago
+2
Point 1: f*** off from the EU
2
sg19point32 days ago
+1
Most normal people with two brain cells know this. Also, any time trump or vance supporting someone ie orcban, you know they are on the same team as russia
1
PaleDeparture56302 days ago
+1
Stop sending them NATO money and security, and let Hungary go hungry. Let's see if Russia has what they want.
1
_AnonMax_2 days ago
+1
Kibaszott hazaárulók
1
Repulsive_Bad_49241 day ago
+1
Mocskos kurva anyjukat, így röviden
1
Meeizter2 days ago
+1
Why dont hungary get kicked out of eu and nato (not sure if they with nato)?
1
Material-Garbage70742 days ago
-3
What do you mean?
-3
Guipel_3 days ago
-1
Why are they still in Europe?
-1
twelvyy292 days ago
+3
I mean it would be a pretty tough assignment to remove a country from a continent.
If you are asking why they are still in the EU, its because you can't really get kicked out of the EU.
3
Guipel_2 days ago
+1
😂 good one !
I think that the current situation with Hungary should help improve the membership rules … when you pursue such relationships with a geopolitical enemy of Europe and value more its interests over those of your partners inside de community, your membership status should be on hold : you still need to follow obligations yet can’t decide anything and can’t take part to discussions.
1
Barbu-Genial3 days ago
-1
Et après on va nous imposer au travers d'une loi liberticide pour la France de s'empêcher de critiquer un pays et du coup ce qui se passe dans le monde...
loi Yadan.
Pour ceux qui sont passés à côté, voici le lien :
https://petitions.assemblee-nationale.fr/initiatives/i-5158
-1
Organic_Wash_22053 days ago
-4
Is Russia playing both sides now - with the U.S?
Aren’t they also aiding Iran too with weapons??? Or is that Ukraine?
94 Comments