The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has levied a stinging critique of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), accusing him of prolonging the conflict in Ukraine. In a recent podcast interview with Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner, Orbán stated he was “ready to help the German Chancellor create peace – but he is for the war”. This sentiment, he extended to encompass the European Union’s stance, citing publicly stated commitments to continued support for Ukraine as a driver of the protracted conflict.
Orbán argued that bolstering the Ukrainian military aims to improve the battlefield situation, ostensibly creating better conditions for negotiations with Russia. He dismissed this as a “completely false” assessment, asserting that “time works more for the Russians than for us”. He placed a significant onus on Germany, claiming that “without Germany, the European position will never be for peace. If the Germans are not for peace immediately. then that means war.
The contrast between Orbán’s viewpoint and the CDU’s current policy, which he characterizes as seeking “more strength at the frontline” raises concerns about potential escalation and the risk of a Third World War. Orbán stressed the need to demonstrate strength “at the negotiating table, not at the front.
His remarks represent a significant departure from prevailing narratives within the EU and highlight a deepening rift in approaches to conflict resolution. The unusually candid assessment adds further complexity to the already fraught relationship between Hungary and Germany.
Interestingly, Orbán offered a starkly contrasting view when discussing former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Despite fundamental disagreements with Merkel on issues such as migration policy and the EU’s Green Deal, he expressed admiration for her, even recounting instances where she vocally reprimanded him – an experience, he claimed, more frequent than similar interactions with his wife.
He particularly lauded Merkel’s approach to Russia, asserting near-complete agreement on her policies. “There were meetings in the European Council, just her and I, arguing for peace and cooperation” he recalled. Orbán condemned the current trend in Germany of criticizing Merkel, describing it as unfair, acknowledging her contributions while also conceding past shortcomings. He suggested that had Merkel remained Chancellor during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, she would have “immediately called Putin” to initiate dialogue. This nostalgic praise of Merkel’s past Russia policy underscores Orbán’s divergence from Germany’s present, more confrontational approach.