Ukraine Plans Coffee Tactic for Orbán

Ukraine’s foreign ministry has outlined a specific strategy for handling Viktor Orbán if he assumes the role of UN secretary-general. Andrii Sybiha, the Ukrainian foreign minister, proposed inviting the former Hungarian prime minister for coffee during critical sessions to disrupt his veto power.

Sybiha made the comments on X after reports indicated the US administration is promoting Orbán for the position. The plan relies on a tactical pause to allow other nations to pass resolutions without Hungarian interference.

The proposal references an incident at an EU summit in late 2023. During that meeting, Orbán left the room, which enabled EU leaders to approve the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine. Budapest did not veto the decision because the former prime minister was absent from the chamber.

Sybiha stated he is confident that Orbán would utilize the masterful veto and blackmail skills he developed while derailing major EU decisions. The minister suggested sharing this experience with the rest of the world by taking Orbán out for coffee at the right moment.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the US administration is counting on support from China and Russia to back the Hungarian candidate. In May, investigative journalists noted that figures in the MAGA wing of the US Republican Party considered appointing Orbán to shield him from prosecution in Hungary.

Hungarian investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi said Orbán is preparing to flee to the United States should legal action arise in his home country. The UN secretary-general position is currently vacant, with a new selection process expected to begin in the coming months.