Vladimir Putin may soon be betrayed by this long-time ally in Europe

Vladimir Putin has long been citing potential NATO’s eastern expansion as one of the key reasons to justify Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But as Sweden and Finland applied for joining the alliance last year, the issue became more complicated.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán who is widely seen as Putin’s ally in the West is reportedly prepared to vote in favour of Sweden joining NATO later in March.

The move by a top Hungarian politician can be seen as a betrayal of the Kremlin’s trust and lead to a further escalation of diplomatic conflict in Europe.

Hungary to support Swedish bid to join NATO

On Tuesday, Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament Csaba Hende told reporters that his country is expected to vote in favour of Sweden joining NATO. Allowing the Nordic state into the military bloc would be a major blow to Putin, who has cited the prevention of NATO expansion as one of his reasons for starting the war in Ukraine.

Orbán has previously said that Hungary, which is a NATO member, had reservations about the recent bids by Sweden and Finland to join the alliance. However, Hende—who is in Orbán's right-wing Fidesz party—now says Hungary supports at least one of those bids.

Hende told the Swedish news agency TT:

We made it clear that the Hungarian government, the Hungarian president, the prime minister and most of the Hungarian parliamentarians clearly support Swedish NATO membership.

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Whose side is Orbán really on?

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has long been seen as a staunch ally of the Russian leader. He has publicly pushed back against EU sanctions designed to punish Moscow for the war in Ukraine and has tried to thwart NATO's military support of Kyiv.

According to experts, Orbán's actual support for Putin doesn't always match his public statements.

William Reno, a professor and the chair of the political science department at Northwestern University, said:

Orbán threatens to block EU and NATO assistance to Ukraine but usually drops veto threats at the last minute.

NATO’s reaction

Hende's comments about Budapest ratifying Sweden's NATO bid came after he met with members of the Swedish government in Stockholm. He said Hungary's vote on the matter is expected to take place near the end of March.

Hende and his delegation are expected to visit Finland soon.

The Associated Press reported that NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg was asked about Hende's remarks by reporters in Brussels.

He said:

They are sending a positive message and recommending ratification. So, of course, we still have some way to go, but we are making progress.

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Sources used:

- Newsweek: 'Putin's Top Ally in Europe Disappoints Him Once Again'