Vladimir Putin's allies in Hungary and Slovakia are increasingly facing backlash for their pro-Moscow stance. The political turmoil they now face highlights the isolation of leaders who remain friendly toward Moscow. Slovakia's Fico this week faced sharp criticism from his political rivals over a trip to Moscow in December to meet Putin. It was branded a "disgrace" and triggered opposition parties to initiate a no-confidence vote against his government. In Hungary, Euroskeptic Orbán is losing ground to pro-West, pro-Ukraine, conservative Péter Magyar, who has been touted as the country's next leader.Russian President Vladimir Putin's allies in Hungary and Slovakia are increasingly facing backlash for their pro-Moscow stance.
Newsweek contacted the foreign ministries of Slovakia and Hungary for comment by email on Thursday.
Why It Matters
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has built strong economic and political ties with Moscow and has often spoken of his close relationship with Putin. Slovakia's populist leader Robert Fico has faced accusations of his government tilting toward Russia.
The political turmoil they are now facing highlights the potential isolation of leaders should they choose to remain friendly toward Moscow during the ongoing war that Russia launched against Ukraine in February 2022.
What To Know
Fico this week faced sharp criticism from his political rival Michal Šimečka over a trip to Moscow on December 22 to meet Putin. It was branded a "disgrace" and triggered opposition parties to initiate a no-confidence vote against his government.
Thousands also took to the streets earlier this month to protest against Fico's pro-Russia stance. A snap election will be triggered in Slovakia should the upcoming no-confidence vote succeed.
In Hungary, Euroskeptic Orbán is losing ground to pro-West, pro-Ukraine, conservative Péter Magyar, who has been touted as the country's next leader, posing an unprecedented threat to his rival's rule.
NATO member state Hungary has refused to supply Kyiv with weapons in the ongoing war and has encouraged the West to pursue "a ceasefire and peace talks" between Russia and Ukraine.
Magyar told Reuters in an interview published on January 9 that he would aim to achieve "pragmatic relations" with Russia should he win elections scheduled for early 2026.
What People Are Saying
Progressive Slovakia party leader Michal Šimečka said in an interview with POLITICO published on Wednesday: "Fico's trip to Moscow was a disgrace for Slovakia. But it's part of a bigger story about a prime minister who doesn't seem … interested in dealing with real problems that trouble people in Slovakia. Instead, he's flying around the world, meeting dictators.
"Slovakia is not just Robert Fico. There is an enormous number of people who wish Slovakia to be a part of free and democratic Europe, to have good relations with our neighbors, to constructively promote our interests and work to strengthen Europe as a whole, because that's also good for Slovakia."
Slovakian protester Lucia Štasselova told local media on January 4: "I refuse to let this country fall under Russian political influence. This is the infinite audacity of our Prime Minister."
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's opposition challenger, Péter Magyar, told Reuters on January 9: "I don't believe that there is friendship in politics … that there is an Orbán-Trump friendship or Orbán-Putin friendship. There are interests, and it is appropriate if state leaders represent their respective countries' interests … for this allies are needed but these should be value-based alliances."
What Happens Next?
Reuters reported Wednesday that Fico appears to be set to survive the upcoming vote of no-confidence unscathed, as one ruling coalition party signaled that they wouldn't back the motion.
Putin and Orbán will likely maintain firm bilateral relations, despite international pressures.
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