Russia has responded cautiously to the political shift in Hungary following the election victory of Péter Magyar and the defeat of long-time Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, saying it expects to see how the new government will act in practice.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow aims to maintain “realistic” relations with Hungary’s new leadership, stressing that Russia is interested in constructive ties with both Hungary and other European countries. He added that it remains to be seen whether the new government will change Hungary’s stance on key issues such as EU funding for Ukraine and the Druzhba oil pipeline, which are central to regional energy security.
Peskov also said the Hungarian election result should not be directly linked to the war in Ukraine, describing it as a separate political process.
Meanwhile, Hungary’s new prime minister, Péter Magyar, signaled a more balanced but firm approach toward Moscow, stating: “We will talk, but we will not become friends.” He emphasized that dialogue with Russia is necessary due to geography and energy dependency, but made clear that Hungary will not pursue closer political alignment.
The election marks a major political turning point in Hungary after 16 years of Orbán’s rule, with the opposition securing a strong parliamentary majority and promising deep institutional reforms.
Analysts say the result signals a shift in Hungary’s foreign policy direction and a potential reduction in Russian influence in Central Europe, although significant political and economic challenges remain ahead.
