PM Orbán awards ‘Mr Russia’, Hungary interested in Russia’s new security system

Yesterday, PM Orbán decorated German businessman Klaus Mangold, who is called 'Mr Russia' in his home country due to his exceptional relationships with Russia's leaders, including President Putin. #klausmangold #lavrov #rosatom #paksnpp #viktororban #russia #stateaward

Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s foreign minister, attended an international conference on a new Eurasian security framework, orchestrated by Russia. According to Russian FM Lavrov, Hungary was interested in the project, and the Hungarian foreign ministry has not denied that claim. Meanwhile, yesterday, PM Orbán decorated German businessman Klaus Mangold, who’s called ‘Mr Russia’ in his home country due to his exceptional relationships with Russia’s leaders, including President Putin.

New security architecture built by Russia

Based on a statement shared by Russian TASS, the Russian news agency, Mr Lavrov said Slovakia and Hungary were intrigued by the idea of a new security architecture for Eurasia even if the West is displeased. On Friday, Lavrov met FM Szijjártó in Valletta, Malta, to continue the so-called ‘peace mission’ the Hungarian government started after PM Orbán took the presidency of the Council of Europe in July. Lavrov and Szijjártó talked about how the war in Ukraine can be contained until Trump’s inauguration on 20 January. Furthermore, Szijjártó condemned the idea of lowering the conscription age in Ukraine. Instead, he said ceasefire and peace talks are required.

PM Orbán Putin in Moscow peace mission
Orbán and Putin in Moscow on 5 July. Photo: FB/Orbán

But it seems Hungary would support even more in that regard: Russia would like to spearhead building a new architecture of security in Eurasia. Lavrov said Hungary is interested in that, along with Slovakia. FM Szijjártó participated in the 2nd International Conference on Eurasian security in Minsk, “after which Russia and Belarus called for developing the Eurasian Charter of diversity and multipolarity in the 21st century”, TASS wrote.

“The conference in Minsk was attended by the Foreign Minister of Hungary (Péter Szijjártó – DNH), Slovakia displays its interest as well. I believe that other countries will see a direct benefit from this in terms of promoting their long-term interests and satisfying the needs of their people”, Lavrov said.

They will continue even if the West dislikes the idea

Lavrov highlighted that the West is displeased with the initiative, but Russia would continue nevertheless.

“Regardless of whether the West wants it or not, the process of building a new architecture of security is moving forward full steam, and is already based not on the Euro-Atlantic concept, but on the understanding that the single Eurasian continent currently provides opportunities for everyone to equally safeguard everyone’s interests and build the very indivisible security, which was proclaimed in the OSCE, but was destroyed by the actions of the West. First and foremost, thanks to NATO’s reckless eastward expansion”, Lavrov concluded.

FM Szijjártó and Russian FM Lavrov peace mission
Lavrov and Szijjártó in Valletta yesterday. Photo: FB/Szijjártó

Portfolio.hu wrote that the Hungarian foreign ministry has not commented on the issue. Before, PM Orbán and other government officials regularly cleared that Hungary’s pro-NATO commitment was unquestionable.

PM Orbán decorated “Mr Russia”

On Thursday in the Carmelite Monastery, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán awarded the Middle Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit to Klaus Mangold, owner-managing director of Mangold Consulting GmbH and former chairman of the Executive Board of DaimlerChrysler AG, Bertalan Havasi, the Prime Minister’s press chief informed the Hungarian news agency MTI. The decoration was conferred upon Mr Mangold in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the strengthening and development of Hungarian-German economic relations.

Direkt36 discovered more about the controversial relationship between the Hungarian prime minister and the German businessman. First, they wrote that Mr Mangold was regularly referred to as “Mr Russia” in the German press due to his extensive network in the Russian political and business elite.

János Lázár introduced Mangold to Orbán

According to the media outlet, János Lázár, a hunting partner of Mangold, introduced the German businessman to Orbán in 2012. Afterwards, Mangold played a role behind the scenes in smoothing the preparations of the Russian-Hungarian negotiations over the Paks nuclear power plant expansion project.

Furthermore, European Commissioner Günther Oettinger travelled from Germany to Budapest on his private jet in 2016. Later, it was revealed that Mangold has a contract and a regular payment from Budapest covering multiple issues from digitalisation to the promotion of electric cars. After the 2018 elections, nine contracts were signed with Mangold’s company in various areas from helping facilitate German-Hungarian industrial cooperation to attracting foreign companies.

Rosatom subsidiary VP: Paks NPP expansion will cost more

According to index.hu, Aleksandr Merten, the VP of the Rosatom subsidiary Atomstroyexport, said the prices were defined by inflation, the damaged supply chains, the growing costs of building materials, and illegal migration. He said Paks II would supply electricity from the beginning of the 2030s. However, its EUR 12.5 billion cost could increase.

Paks Nuclear Power Plant (Copy)
Photo: FB/Paks NPP

Furthermore, the deadlines may also change since the European Commission monitored the state support of the project for 2.5 years. He added that German Siemens would deliver the automatised control system of the plant. If they refused to do so, Russians would partner with the French. Laying concrete will start next March, and the Hungarian supplier rate may exceed 40%. Mr Merten said 150 Hungarian companies were working on the expansion project.

Read also:

4 Comments

  1. This is so difficult to read that it makes you want to vomit. Hungary really needs to be kicked out of NATO and the EU. It can’t come soon enough. Hungary is truly a Russian satellite.

  2. Everyone should watch the interview with
    tucker Carlson and Russia’s FM last week in russia
    on youtube- very impressive man.
    Compare him to the secretary of state in biden regime. The EU has some explaning to do- would love to hear a intteligent responce from the oposition .

  3. Carlson is a well-known Russian stooge like Orban and his cronies. Even Fox News had to fire him.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *