Magyar on Hungary–Russia ties after election victory: “We will not be friends”

“Of course, if necessary, we would have to sit down with the Russian president,” he said in an interview with Népszava.

“Neither Russia’s nor Hungary’s geographical position is going to change.”

He added that Hungary’s reliance on Russian energy would persist in the near term, though diversification efforts would be stepped up. “That cannot happen overnight,” he noted.

While leaving the door open to dialogue, the prime minister drew a clear distinction between negotiation and partnership: “If needed, we will negotiate — but we will not be friends.”

Hungary’s opposition Tisza Party has secured 53.07% of the vote and 138 seats in parliament, according to preliminary results reported by Telex. A total of 98.9% of ballots have been counted.

The ruling Fidesz–KDNP alliance has won 55 seats (38.43%), while Our Homeland Movement has taken 6 seats (5.83%).

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán conceded defeat and pledged “not to give up.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev