April 24, 2026 – Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, attending an informal European Council meeting in Nicosia, made a pointed remark about the absence of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, indirectly referencing his political stance without naming him.
In a post on the social media platform X, Tusk wrote: “European Council meeting. For the first time in years, there are no Russians in the room. A great relief.”
The comment was widely interpreted as a reference to Orbán, who has often been seen as the most Russia-friendly leader within the European Union.
The Hungarian side explained Orbán’s absence as being linked to a transitional political situation following recent developments in Hungary and the post-election transfer of power after last week’s parliamentary vote.
The informal EU summit in Nicosia is focused on security issues and the European Union’s foreign policy direction, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and divisions within the bloc over relations with Russia.
