(BUDAPEST, HUNGARY) – The defeat of Viktor Orb\u00e1n in Hungary\u2019s election marks a significant setback for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin\u2019s influence in Europe, according to Sir Bill Browder, head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Lara Spirit on The Times at One<\/em>, Browder said it had long been difficult to understand how a European country once occupied by the Soviet Union could sustain openly pro Kremlin policies. He said the result showed such a position was not politically viable when voters were given a clear choice.<\/p>\n Browder described the outcome as a landslide victory for the West and the European Union, and a corresponding defeat for Moscow. He said Orb\u00e1n had served as a crucial ally for Putin within the EU, where unanimous agreement is required for major decisions.<\/p>\n He noted that Orb\u00e1n had repeatedly blocked policies aimed at supporting Ukraine, including a proposed \u20ac90 billion loan intended to bolster Ukraine\u2019s defence against Russia. Converted, this amounts to approximately $97 billion. Browder said Ukraine\u2019s ability to sustain its defence effort depended heavily on such funding.<\/p>\n The incoming Hungarian leadership under Peter Magyar has indicated it will not obstruct the loan and will not align with Moscow, removing what Browder described as a key instrument previously used by Putin to influence EU policy.<\/p>\n Browder said the election also reflected broader public sentiment about Hungary\u2019s relationship with Europe and Russia. He pointed to celebrations in Budapest where crowds chanted \u201cRussians go home\u201d, underscoring rejection of pro Kremlin policies.<\/p>\n He added that Moscow is likely to continue attempting to influence politics across Europe. He cited Slovakia\u2019s Prime Minister Robert Fico and Czech political figure Andrej Babi\u0161 as leaders perceived to hold more sympathetic positions towards Russia, though less overtly than Orb\u00e1n.<\/p>\n Browder said the Hungarian result should serve as a warning to such leaders, demonstrating that openly pro Kremlin positions carry political risk.<\/p>\n He said the methods used by Moscow to cultivate influence remain unclear, ranging from bribery and blackmail to coercion, and are unlikely to be simple or uniform.<\/p>\n Turning to security concerns, Browder referenced recent statements by UK Defence Secretary John Healey regarding Russian submarine activity near critical undersea infrastructure in the North Atlantic.<\/p>\n He described the situation as part of an ongoing asymmetric conflict, arguing that Russia is seeking to destabilise Western economies and infrastructure without engaging in direct military confrontation.<\/p>\n Browder warned that attacks on undersea cables could have severe economic consequences for the United Kingdom. He said stronger measures may be required to protect critical infrastructure, including boarding and seizing vessels suspected of hostile activity.<\/p>\n He concluded that Western governments must recognise the seriousness of the threat and respond accordingly, stating that the current approach risks underestimating the scale of the challenge posed by Moscow.<\/p>\n