Ukraine mocks US plan for Orbán

Ukraine has proposed a specific diplomatic maneuver to manage Viktor Orbán should he become the United Nations secretary-general. Andrii Sybiha, the Ukrainian foreign minister, outlined this plan on X on October 26, 2026. His comments followed reports that the US administration is actively promoting the former Hungarian prime minister for the top UN post. Sybiha expressed confidence that Orbán would utilize his "masterful veto and blackmail skills" if appointed. He noted that Orbán developed these techniques over years of derailing major decisions within the European Union.

The foreign minister referenced a specific incident from a late 2023 EU summit to illustrate his point. During that meeting, Orbán left the room, allowing other EU leaders to approve opening accession negotiations with Ukraine. Budapest had previously threatened to veto the decision. Sybiha joked that Ukraine could share its "great experience" of taking Orbán out for coffee at the right moment to neutralize his obstructionist tactics.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the US administration is counting on support from China and Russia to push for Orbán's appointment. In May, investigative journalists revealed that figures in the MAGA wing of the Republican Party were considering a scenario where Orbán would move to a UN position. This move would shield him from potential prosecution in Hungary. Hungarian investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi stated that Orbán is preparing to flee to the United States should legal action be taken against him at home.

Sybiha's remarks frame the potential appointment as a continuation of Orbán's strategic behavior in international forums. The Ukrainian government views the coffee break as a proven method to pause proceedings and prevent vetoes. This approach contrasts with the US strategy of leveraging Orbán's geopolitical stance to gain backing from Beijing and Moscow. The proposal highlights the diplomatic tensions surrounding the selection process for the next UN leader.