By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó is facing criticism for his planned participation in a security forum in Minsk, where he will engage with senior officials from Russia, Belarus and Syria. Observers are lambasting Hungary, a NATO member, for its growing relationship with Russia while the latter continues to wage war on Ukraine. French MEP Nathalie Loiseau criticised Hungary’s government, stating, “the Hungarian government never wastes an opportunity to shame us.”
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Backlash builds over Hungary joining Russia, Syria, and Belarus at a security summit. I can hardly believe the trajectory this nation has taken, veering sharply away from the principles it once seemed to cherish. The memories of my summer in Hungary during the 90s linger vividly; I recall the pride people took in dismantling the Soviet regime, the empty pedestal on the hill standing as a testament to their struggle against oppression. Today, that pride feels all but extinguished.
Joining a security forum alongside nations like Russia, Belarus, and Syria is not just a diplomatic faux pas; it’s a blatant betrayal of the tenets Hungary used to stand for. The Hungarian government has long exploited its EU membership while consistently undermining the alliance, and Péter Szijjártó’s attendance at this summit is a distressing symptom of a much deeper malaise. There are reasons Hungary has been the subject of criticism from the very officials who should be supporting it. As a member of NATO, Hungary’s actions not only embarrass the alliance but also jeopardize our collective security.
It’s frustrating to witness Hungary’s government flaunt its complicity with authoritarian regimes while reaping the benefits of European membership. The streetwise perspective that “the system is being used” to undermine foundational values isn’t just a casual insight; it’s a painful acknowledgment of a nation that is choosing its alliances poorly. Sitting across the table from warmongers and oppressors while portraying itself as a European ally makes Hungary a liability. The outcry for Hungary to be expelled from EU and NATO is not just a reaction; it’s a desperate plea for sanity in continental politics.
The betrayal goes deeper when you consider the historical context. Generations of Hungarians fought for a future free from oppression, yet the current regime appears to have forgotten the lessons of history. Viktor Orbán’s increasingly cozy relations with Vladimir Putin and others opposing democratic values evoke not just disappointment but also anger. To see Hungary, a country with deep scars from Soviet domination, aligning itself with the architects of new totalitarianism is genuinely mind-boggling.
Warnings of a potential theft of NATO technology within Hungary due to these diminishing ties with the West are chilling. The risk is palpable, and it underscores the urgent need for action now. The dissatisfaction with a regime that openly supports Ukraine’s aggressors must morph into decisive measures lest we find ourselves embroiled in threats we cannot control. The call for NATO and EU to “grow some balls” and expel Hungary resonates with profound importance. The longer Hungary remains, the more precarious our security posture becomes.
Critics of this regime are right to demand that Hungarians reassess their allegiances. The realities of today starkly contrast the aspirations of the past. The specter of authoritarianism all too often unites corrupt leaders, and Hungary has made its choice. It is time for Europe to take a stand. The risk of having a pro-Russia state so centrally located puts every nation in the EU at risk.
It’s appalling to consider the consequences of this trajectory. As those of us who value freedom watch, the urgency to counteract this betrayal grows. The idea that Orbán might end up as a Russian puppet, leading not just Hungary but serving as a unique vulnerability in NATO, is a nightmare scenario. The whispers of active dissent against Orbán’s regime build gradually, but they must transform into a unified effort.
If Hungary defies collective values, it may warrant removal. Despots rallying for power and influence should not be the norm within NATO and EU alliances. The taste of betrayal from a relatively small country like Hungary should catalyze action—both diplomatic and grassroots. Engaging with citizens in dialogue about the stakes elevates personal responsibility. It’s astonishing to think how generations before fought so valiantly for democracy, only to witness their descendants cozying up to the very entities that thrived on their suffering.
Hungary must be held accountable for the choices of its leaders. It must resonate clearly that sleeping with the enemy is akin to abandoning the principles of democracy. While the dialogue echoes across Europe, immediate action is required to sever ties with regimes that would place Europe’s legacy at risk, even as the scars of the past echo painfully in the backdrop.