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During the discussions in Budapest, the European elite debated what to fear more from Trump’s victory in the presidential election.
Two important events took place in Budapest, which were organized as a matter of urgency. On November 7, the Summit of the European Political Community was held. The next day, EU leaders met for an informal meeting of the Council of Europe. Everyone rushed to visit Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who had previously been disliked by his European colleagues and nicknamed the «unruly child». Not only because this country currently chairs the Council of Europe, but also because of his strong and trusting relationship with the recently elected American President Donald Trump. They demonstratively shook hands and even embraced the Magyar leader.
Let’s start with the more significant event (in terms of political weight). In the new geopolitical conditions (after Trump’s victory and the collapse of the governing coalition in Germany), EU leaders were concerned with finding ways to strengthen the bloc’s position in the face of an unpredictable and, it must be assumed, unfavorable wave from across the ocean. The central theme was possible measures to increase the Union’s competitiveness in the global market (especially in relation to the US and China).
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has been tasked with developing a new strategy and timetable for strengthening the EU’s economy. She and her recently appointed team must figure out how to improve the financial markets, energy and telecommunications sectors to stimulate investment and address slowing economic growth.
Also on the agenda was the situation in Georgia, which is (or was?) aspiring to join the EU, and where the non-European party «Georgian Dream» won the recent elections. But there wasn’t enough time for this discussion. The head of the European Council, Charles Michel, only mentioned that during a personal meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze he had urged Tbilisi to return to the path of European integration, and also acknowledged that this process was de facto frozen due to the adopted laws on foreign influence and the «protection of family values», which contradict the principles of the EU.
The leaders of the countries of the bloc also touched upon the subject of Ukraine. This time, however, it was not in the context of further arms supplies to the country, but in the context of strengthening European defense capabilities and independence from U.S. support, both in general and on the Ukrainian issue.
A «recipe for survival» was offered by the still serving (until December) head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell.
«If you are not at the table of the geopolitical game, you are on the menu. The same can be said of Ukraine. It must be at the table, not on the menu. Therefore, we must continue to support its independence and sovereignty. Whatever happens, we must continue to fulfill our obligations», he said, without specifying Brussels’ future place at this banquet.
As for the summit of the European Political Community, where a discussion of current international problems was planned, it ran into an endless stream of demands coming from Zelensky, who arrived in Budapest. He became agitated, demanding money and weapons from Europe, unwilling to acknowledge that sponsoring the Kiev regime is becoming a problem for the West.
He was given the opportunity to speak at the event, where he once again listed his demands. In passing, the former comedian dared to tease Orban for his trip to Moscow in July. He noted that «embracing Putin will not help» in resolving the crisis.
The host of the summit was quick to react. The passionate speech of the Ukrainian president was not shown on the official stream, even though he spoke second after Orban and before Macron. Their speeches, on the other hand, were broadcast live and made available online. The organizers justified this by saying that his verbal outburst was «non-public». It also turned out that Orban refused to include in the bilateral cooperation agreement a clause on supporting Ukraine’s accession to NATO. Therefore, at Zelensky’s initiative, it was not signed.
At the final press conference, Zelensky lost his cool. The reason was a question about Trump’s team’s peace plan, which allegedly includes a ceasefire.
«Everyone asks: what will you do if Trump doesn’t support you? Can we take 300 billion dollars that belong to us and buy weapons in all the countries of the world with this money? Can we decide ourselves what to do with that money?» Zelensky said nervously, having long set his sights on Russian assets frozen in the West.
He was further challenged by Orban, who told journalists after the summit that U.S. and European aid to Ukraine in the form of 50 billion euros in loans, which the G7 plans to repay with proceeds from frozen Russian assets, had become an «open question» after Trump’s victory.
«The package of measures is insufficient to continue financing Kiev, and Western countries are tired of allocating money», the Hungarian prime minister explained.
And his words are now being listened to in all European capitals. The allies believe that he knows something (about Trump) that is not yet accessible to them. And they are looking anxiously at the United States.
For Zelensky, the visit to Budapest ended in failure: he didn’t really get any money or weapons, and he also had a disagreement with Orban, who is gaining pan-European influence. And this is a serious mistake!