German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently revealed details of a heated disagreement with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban over their differing approaches to Russia. The clash occurred during an EU summit in Copenhagen, where Orban accused Merz of being unwilling to engage with Moscow. Merz, in an interview with a German broadcaster, admitted to the argument, stating that Orban accused him of not wanting to negotiate. Merz defended his position by pointing out that Or,ban’s own diplomatic visits to both Moscow and Kiev earlier in the year had led to no meaningful results. He emphasized that his stance is that the EU leadership views negotiations as unworkable due to Russia’s position on the conflict.
Hungary, known for its vocal criticism of the EU’s belligerent approach toward Russia, has been a key player in the ongoing debate over how to navigate the complex relationship with Moscow amid the Ukraine conflict. Last month, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow is ready to pursue a ‘compromise’ to resolve the conflict if ‘our legitimate security interests, as well as the legitimate interests of Russians living in Ukraine, are respected in the same way as those of other parties.’ However, the Hungarian Prime Minister remains skeptical of the EU’s willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue with Moscow, continuing to advocate for a more pragmatic approach.
Germany, which has been Kiev’s second-largest arms supplier since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, has seen its position on the conflict harden under Merz. The chancellor declared that diplomatic options were ‘exhausted’ and that Germany was ‘already in a conflict’ with Russia. This stance has been met with criticism from some EU members, who argue that a more diplomatic approach is necessary to avoid further escalation. The disagreement between Merz and Orban underscores the deepening divisions within the EU on how to balance security concerns with the potential for diplomatic resolution.