Hungary eases visa restrictions for Russia and Belarus. 'Looks like they're trying to become part of another alliance'

These are no longer journalistic columns, suggestions, or concerns expressed behind the scenes. Questions full of anxiety are being asked by Western leaders directly to the cameras. “I increasingly wonder what Hungary is up to. Do they still consider themselves a country of the European Union? Because recently it seems that Hungary is trying to become part of another alliance,” says Gitanas Nausėda, President of Lithuania.

This other than the Western alliance is the arrangement with Russia – the aggressor country and the greatest threat to peace and democracy in the world today. – In fact, Hungary is doing everything that is useful for Russia, trying to destabilize the situation in the European Union – believes the president of Lithuania.

The latest in this ongoing destabilization is Budapest's latest project – easing visa policy for citizens of Belarus and Russia. Lithuanian authorities claim that Hungary's move increases the risk in Europe, because it coincides with an increased number of sabotage and diversion in European countries carried out by the Kremlin. – We have asked the European Commission to evaluate this decision and propose possible steps. For now, we are talking about decisions at the EU level. However, the next step could be to look for regional solutions – informs Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

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Intelligence agencies warned in the spring that Moscow was actively preparing bombings, arson attacks and attacks on infrastructure in EU countries. Among the fires was a German arms factory. In April, the local services reported the arrest of two people. “It is suspected that one of the detainees agreed to conduct sabotage activities in Germany, especially against military infrastructure and industrial facilities,” says Ines Peterson, spokeswoman for the German Prosecutor General's Office.

There have also been arrests in Poland. – We currently have nine arrested, suspects, with charges filed. This concerns assault, arson, attempted arson – informed Prime Minister Donald Tusk in May.

Now, Hungary has also expanded its immigration program since July to include a work visa for Russians and Belarusians, among others. The holder of such a document, issued for a minimum of two years, can work in Hungary without a security certificate and bring their family to the country. Budapest claims that many people interested in the program will work on the construction of a nuclear power plant.

In a letter from Manfred Weber to European Council President Charles Michel, obtained by the Financial Times, the European People's Party leader said the move poses a serious risk of opening the door to Russian spies and allowing them to travel through much of the EU without hindrance. “This policy could also make it easier for Russians to move around the Schengen area, bypassing restrictions required by EU law,” it reads.

Over the weekend, Viktor Oran appeared at the Summer University and Student Camp in Romania organized by the Hungarian Youth Council of Romania. He gave a speech in which he devoted several minutes to Poland. He criticized Poland's rapprochement with the United States, said that the Americans had made Poland their European base and that the Poles “are pursuing the most hypocritical policy on the continent”. – They lecture us morally, criticize us for our economic relations with Russia, and at the same time do business with Russia, buying oil, even through intermediaries, and introducing it into the Polish economy. Even the French are doing better – said the Hungarian prime minister.

The deputy head of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski, commented on the words. “We do not do business with Russia, unlike Prime Minister Orban, who is on the margins of international society; both in the European Union and in NATO,” he said.

Orban did not stop at pondering Poland. He said that Donald Trump could win the presidential election and then Europe, left alone, would have to face the costs of the war in Ukraine. – The United States will leave the Europeans alone. Europe cannot finance the war, cannot finance the reconstruction of Ukraine, and cannot even finance the functioning of Ukraine. The European Union will have to pay the price for this war adventure, and this will also be disadvantageous for us – stated Viktor Orban.

Hungary took over the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union in July. Almost immediately, Orban went to Moscow and Beijing on what was described as a “peace mission,” even though none of the EU’s partners were aware of it or had authorized him to do so.

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Then he left a special NATO summit to mark the alliance's 70th anniversary early to meet with Donald Trump, who was running for re-election, in Florida. “Viktor Orban used words I wouldn't use. Journalists would say I'm bragging. I'm not bragging, because he told me. He said Russia was afraid of me. China was afraid of me. Everyone was afraid of me. Nothing was going to happen. The whole world was calm. And now the world is exploding around us,” Donald Trump said after meeting the Hungarian prime minister.

Due to sanctions imposed as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, air connections between Russia and the European Union have been completely suspended. As a result, most Russians have to cross the land borders of neighboring countries, which significantly complicates, but still does not exclude, travel.