Kathmandu— Hungary has formally labeled Russia a “threat to Hungary, Europe and the global order” in a new foreign policy directive signed by Prime Minister Peter Magyar on Tuesday, signaling a dramatic shift away from the pragmatic relationship with Moscow maintained under his predecessor, Viktor Orbán. The document explicitly condemns Russian military aggression and affirms support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including its right to self-defense. Hungary had not previously designated Russia as a threat since 1945, highlighting the significance of this policy change.

Dramatic Policy Reversal

The new directive represents a stark contrast to the approach taken by Viktor Orbán, who while condemning Russia’s military operation in Ukraine also criticized Western policies he believed provoked the conflict. Orbán had consistently resisted efforts to arm Kyiv and advocated for an imperfect peace deal, arguing that Ukraine could not defeat Russia. He also expressed concerns about the economic impact of EU sanctions on Russian energy, securing exemptions for Hungary to continue importing oil, gas, and nuclear fuel.

Alignment with European Union

Since assuming office in May, Prime Minister Magyar has actively worked to align Hungarian foreign policy with that of Brussels. This includes ending opposition to Ukraine’s EU accession talks, supporting the 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions, and lifting a veto on a €90 billion loan package for Kyiv. The current stance mirrors the EU's support for “sustainable peace and long-term security guarantees” for Ukraine, contingent upon Kyiv accepting demands for a return to its 1991 borders and pursuing NATO and EU membership.

Concerns Over Energy Supplies

Despite the shift in policy, Hungary continues to import energy from Russia. Andrey Kolesnik, a member of the Russian State Duma committee on defense, suggested that these supplies could be at risk following Hungary’s designation of Russia as a threat. “They’ve given [Magyar] the order to now treat Russia poorly,” he told Gazeta.ru. “They’re trying to gain some benefits. I think that oil supplies to Hungary, and energy supplies to Hungary from Russia, are now in question after such statements.”

Protecting Hungarian Minority

The directive also acknowledges the potential danger posed by Russia's actions to the Hungarian minority living in Transcarpathia, Ukraine. While Orbán’s government had previously viewed Kyiv as a greater threat to this community—citing restrictions on language rights and forced conscription under former Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky—Magyar recently reached what he called a “formal agreement” with Zelensky to protect their rights. However, details of the agreement remain undisclosed.

The long-term implications of Hungary’s new stance on Russia remain to be seen, particularly regarding energy supplies and the implementation of protections for ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.