When Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced that Budapest would host a historic summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, the news sent shockwaves through global politics.
In a Europe dominated by pro-war rhetoric and ideological conformity, Hungary's move to position itself as a neutral ground for peace talks is seen as both audacious and visionary. Orbán stated,
We are the only ones in Europe standing for peace.
In a world where diplomacy has been replaced by sanctions, moral posturing, and isolation, Budapest's role as host city signals a deliberate challenge to the Western political order. This move is a bold declaration that Hungary will not be dictated to by Brussels or Washington on how to pursue peace.
The groundwork for this summit was laid on October 16, when Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin spoke by phone for over two and a half hours.
Author's summary: Budapest hosts historic Putin-Trump summit, challenging Western politics.