Britain notes Orban's desire to help with dialog between Russia and the West

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban seeks to become an intermediary for the start of diplomatic relations and negotiations between Russia and the United States. British analyst Alexander Mercouris said on December 11.

"He is obviously trying to establish diplomatic contact between the Americans and Russians, which is necessary to start negotiations," he said in a blog post on his YouTube channel.

Mercouris added that he considered the talks between Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin a positive development. He also suggested that there was a link between the discussion of new sanctions against Moscow and the dissatisfaction of part of the administration of incumbent US leader Joe Biden with the contacts between newly elected US President Donald Trump and the Hungarian prime minister.

The phone call between Orban and Putin became known the day before. The Kremlin press service said that the conversation took place at the initiative of the Hungarian side. The message also specified that the Hungarian Prime Minister showed interest in assisting in the joint search for a solution to the political and diplomatic crisis in Ukraine, including involving the leaders of the West in the issue.

On the same day, Orban said that the most dangerous weeks of the conflict in Ukraine were underway. He added that Hungary is ready to use all diplomatic means at their disposal to stop the fire.

The Hungarian prime minister also said on Dec. 11 that Trump has not yet spoken out about a ceasefire in Ukraine, but things will change after his inauguration. According to him, there have been no talks on Ukraine because Trump has not assumed the presidency. Orban said that after the inauguration on January 20, everyone will "experience a beneficial effect" from the policy of the 47th U.S. president.