Conference report: “Interests and values – Where can Hungary’s foreign policy lead?” panel discussion
On December 9, 2025, the Republikon Institute held a conference entitled “Interests and Values – Where Can Hungary’s Foreign Policy Go?” where experts discussed the importance of international events, the future of the European Union, and the most important foreign policy events of the recent past from the perspective of Hungarian domestic politics.
Moderator: Andrea Virág (Strategic Director, Republikon Institute)
Panelists:
Péter Balázs (Professor Emeritus at CEU, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and EU Commissioner)
Zsolt Kerner (journalist, 24.hu)
Attila Kert (journalist, news editor, head of the Hungarian office of Euronews)
Gergely Prőhle (Program Director, John Lukacs Institute, NKE)
Zsuzsanna Szelényi (Program Director, CEU Institute for Democracy)
The panel discussion was preceded by a speech by Gábor Horn and a presentation by Márton Schlanger, who kicked off the program by presenting the findings of a study conducted by the Republikon Institute, which assessed Hungarian society's attitude toward the European Union and its feelings about the war.
Moderator Andrea Virág highlighted how foreign policy successes are transformed into domestic political messages in the media, then asked the panel participants about the relationship between Viktor Orbán and Donald Trump. According to Péter Balázs, voters are generally not interested in foreign policy, except for issues that directly affect their lives. He emphasized that although Viktor Orbán was quick to stand by Donald Trump, their meeting was a long time coming and it was the media coverage that made it such a big event. Attila Kert, on the other hand, said that interest in foreign policy has grown, mainly because the prime minister has made it a domestic political issue, while the trip to the US has brought few concrete successes. Gergely Prőhle disagreed, saying that there has been a decline in in-depth analysis of international events, with scandals and diplomatic bravado taking center stage instead. Zsuzsanna Szelényi added that it is not only the Hungarian government that sees opportunities in America. Zsolt Kerner said that Hungary has less and less of an independent foreign policy, while Viktor Orbán has more and more. In his opinion, the loss of EU funds is also pushing Hungary closer to America.
The next question concerned the assessment of the Orbán–Putin meeting. Péter Balázs emphasized that it was an extremely interesting meeting from a diplomatic point of view, and he believes that Viktor Orbán is increasingly positioning himself along a far-right political line. Zsolt Kerner added that there is much speculation about what exactly was discussed at the meeting. According to Attila Kert, there is a clear American intention to make the countries of Central and Eastern Europe economic partners. Gergely Prőhle emphasized that greater understanding is needed among the member states of the European Union, but at the same time, much of the criticism directed at them is justified. Péter Balázs noted in this regard that the issues raised by the far right are often legitimate, but their answers are not necessarily so. Zsuzsanna Szelényi agreed that there has been a noticeable erosion of the post-World War II institutional system and a loosening of international frameworks.
Andrea Virág's next question to the panel participants concerned their views on the situation and future of the European Union in global politics. According to Péter Balázs, the major Western powers are working together more and more closely, which is also attracting players from outside Europe, and one of the key questions for the future will be what can be achieved without America. Zsolt Kerner said that several European ministers had outlined steps that could strengthen European cohesion; one such idea is for member states to exercise their sovereignty jointly in as many areas as possible. Zsuzsanna Szelényi added that although we know what needs to be done to strengthen the European Union, the question is whether there is the political will and capacity to implement these measures.
Republikon is supported by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed at the event do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the supporting organization can be held responsible for them.
