Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has thrown his weight behind US-led peace efforts in Ukraine, boldly asserting that the war would never have started had Donald Trump been in the White House, as Budapest positions itself as the mediator between East and West.

In a diplomatic statement that is sure to ruffle feathers in Brussels, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has declared that Hungary "remains ready" to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Orbán, arguably the most polarizing figure in the European Union, used a press interaction to double down on his alliance with the American right, specifically Donald Trump.

"If Donald Trump had been the president of the United States, this war wouldn't have broken out," Orbán told journalists. "And if he were not the president now, then we would not even stand a chance to put an end to the war with peace."

The Budapest Pivot

Orbán’s comments are calculated. By aligning himself with the "peace narrative" often pushed by Trump, he is distinguishing Hungary from the rest of the NATO bloc, which remains committed to military victory for Ukraine. Hungary has consistently blocked or delayed EU sanctions and funding for Kyiv, earning Orbán the reputation of being Putin’s "Trojan Horse" in Europe.

However, Orbán sees himself differently: as a pragmatic realist. He argues that the war is unwinnable for Ukraine and that a ceasefire is the only logical outcome. By offering Budapest as a venue for talks, he is attempting to elevate Hungary’s status from a diplomatic pariah to a central power broker. This is "Orbánism" in action—using Hungary’s veto power to force the world to pay attention.

The Transatlantic Rift

The embrace of US Senator Marco Rubio, who recently visited Budapest, highlights the deepening ties between the Hungarian government and the US Republican establishment. Rubio described it as a "golden era" of relations, driven by the personal chemistry between Trump and Orbán. This axis presents a challenge for the EU. If Trump were to return to power (or influence policy significantly through his allies), the unified Western front against Russia could fracture, with Hungary wielding the sledgehammer.

Implications for the Global South

For African nations, many of whom have remained neutral or non-aligned regarding the Ukraine conflict, Orbán’s stance is intriguing. It mirrors the position of several Global South leaders who have called for dialogue over escalation. If Hungary succeeds in brokering even a preliminary meeting, it would shift the geopolitical gravity away from London, Paris, and Berlin.

For now, Orbán stands alone in Europe, but he is betting that history—and the American voter—will eventually swing in his favor.