Hungary Retreats From Putin as Orban Rediscovers Germany
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Hungarian premier Viktor Orban is trying to keep his balance as the geopolitical ground shifts beneath him, and that means taking a step toward Germany and away from Russia.
Orban has made a point of cultivating ties with President Vladimir Putin, criticizing the sanctions imposed on Russia and negotiating a $14 billion loan from the Kremlin. This month the Hungarian leader sent different signals when he voiced support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, called Germany his “compass” on foreign policy and visited NATO troops stationed in Lithuania.