The Kremlin is adopting a cautious stance toward Hungary following the election defeat of Viktor Orbán, signaling a shift in relations with its most prominent European partner.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that Moscow is pleased with the apparent willingness of Prime Minister-elect Péter Magyar to engage in "pragmatic dialogue."
"In this instance, there is mutual willingness on our part, and we will then proceed to take our cue from the specific steps taken by the new Hungarian government," Peskov said.
Despite the openness to dialogue, Moscow has already stripped Hungary of its special status. Peskov noted that Budapest now falls into the same category as other "unfriendly countries" in Europe.
A shift in diplomacy
Magyar signaled on Monday that his administration would not pursue a dramatic break with Russia. He suggested Hungary would maintain a pragmatic foreign policy, particularly regarding energy imports.
"We cannot change geography," Magyar told reporters, noting that Hungary must find a way to manage its reliance on Russian fossil gas and crude oil.
However, the incoming leader signaled a departure from Orbán's pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Unlike his predecessor, Magyar did not frame Russia as an ally, though he expressed a willingness to communicate.
"If Vladimir Putin calls, I’ll pick up the phone," Magyar said. "If we did talk, I could tell him that it would be good to end the killing after four years and end the war."
Under Orbán, Hungary systematically worked to weaken EU sanctions and blocked significant aid packages to Kyiv. Leaked communications previously suggested Orbán had even told Putin, "I am at your service."
Alexander Baunov, a political analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, described the election result as a "sobering moment" for Moscow.
"In Moscow, the takeaway is that only truly authoritarian systems are reliable partners," Baunov said, adding that relying on democratic allies is a risky strategy for the Kremlin.
Russian commentators have expressed skepticism regarding future external support. Alexander Kots, a reporter for Komsomolskaya Pravda, argued that Russia must rely solely on its own strength.
"By the fifth year of the war, it should be clear that external factors have only an indirect bearing on our situation in Ukraine," Kots wrote.
