Discussing a potential Russia–U.S. summit in Budapest last October, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán promised Vladimir Putin he would do anything to help him. A transcript of the October 17, 2025, call, obtained by Bloomberg, reveals the two leaders praising their friendship and Donald Trump, whom they described as acting “like a tank.” Orbán used a fairytale allegory to pledge his loyalty, stating he was ready to assist the Russian leader in any way possible to facilitate a settlement regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
Key details of the behind-the-scenes diplomacy:
- Fairytale Metaphor: Orbán quoted a children’s book, telling Putin: “In our Hungarian picture books, there is a story where a mouse helps a lion. I am ready to help right now.” He emphasized that their friendship, dating back to 2009, had reached a “high level.”
- Tandem with Trump: The leaders discussed Donald Trump (referring to him by his first name), admiring his style. The proposed Budapest summit was seen as a follow-up to the meeting between Putin and Trump in Alaska in August 2025.
- Budapest as a Platform: Orbán promised to “go to any lengths” to organize the summit, which aimed to finalize a deal on the Ukrainian conflict based on terms previously discussed with the American side.
Analytical Summary:
The publication of the Bloomberg transcript shatters the myth of Hungary as an “independent mediator,” exposing a deep asymmetry in the relationship between Budapest and Moscow.
The Collapse of European Solidarity: Orbán’s willingness to be the “mouse in service of the lion” confirms that under its current leadership, Hungary is the weakest link in the European security architecture. Using such language with the leader of a sanctioned nation demonstrates that for Orbán, personal loyalty to Putin outweighs collective obligations within the EU and NATO.
The Trump Factor as a “Tank”: The mention of Donald Trump as a “tank” points to the formation of an informal “Moscow–Budapest–Washington” axis (under a Trump administration). The leaders view the U.S. President not as an institutional partner, but as a battering ram to dismantle the previous international security system. In this scheme, Budapest serves as a “convenient parlor” for deals made behind the backs of Brussels and Kyiv.
Diplomatic Erosion: Comparing himself to a mouse is Orbán’s admission of Hungary’s vassal status in exchange for energy preferences and political support from the Kremlin. This leak deals a devastating blow to Orbán’s reputation within Europe, likely intensifying demands to limit Hungary’s voting rights in the EU, as its leader openly declares his readiness to act in the interests of the “lion” in Moscow.