Russia Will Be “Reintegrated” Into the World Economy Following the Ukraine Peace Deal, Says Hungary’s PM

Russia will be “reintegrated” into the European energy system and global economy following a peace agreement with Ukraine, according to Hungary’s prime minister.

According to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, once a peace agreement is achieved to end the conflict in Ukraine, Russia will be reintegrated into the European energy system and the global economy.

Orban, a strong admirer of US President Donald Trump, was upbeat about the economic advantages such a settlement might offer Hungary in a Friday state radio interview.

“I believe Russia will be reintegrated into the global economy if the US president arrives and brings about peace and a settlement. the European energy and economic system, as well as the European security system.

The Hungarian economy will benefit greatly from it, Orban stated. “A peace agreement will benefit us greatly.”

His comments follow Trump’s recent phone calls with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which have escalated tensions. According to Trump, he instructed top US officials to start negotiations on ending the war after both leaders indicated a desire to engage in dialogue.

Orban has been one of the most outspoken opponents of the European Union’s sanctions against Moscow and the bloc’s financial and military assistance to Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. Hungary still imports 80–85% of its natural gas and the majority of its crude oil from Russia, despite the fact that several Western European countries have lessened their need on Russian energy.

Orban’s remarks reveal his conviction that a peace agreement would serve Hungary’s energy security and wider economic interests by stabilizing the area and reestablishing trade links with Russia. His position, however, stands in stark contrast to those of other EU leaders, who are still wary about reintegrating Russia without providing Ukraine with meaningful security guarantees.