Sybiha jokes Ukraine will use coffee to manage Orbán at UN
The Ukrainian foreign minister suggests inviting the former Hungarian leader out of the room to prevent vetoes, citing a 2023 EU summit tactic.
By Katherine Barnes ·
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha outlined a specific strategy for handling Viktor Orbán at the United Nations.
Sybiha posted on X that he believes Orbán would rely on veto power and blackmail if appointed secretary-general. The minister noted that Orbán developed these skills while derailing major decisions in the European Union.
The proposal involves inviting Orbán for coffee at the right moment. This references an incident at a late 2023 EU summit where Orbán left the meeting room. His absence allowed other EU leaders to approve the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine without a Hungarian veto.
Sybiha wrote, "We can share with the rest of the world our great experience of taking him out for coffee at the right moment." The comment followed reports that the US administration is promoting Orbán for the UN post. The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington is counting on support from China and Russia for the appointment.
In May, investigative journalists reported that members of the MAGA wing of the US Republican Party were considering a UN appointment for Orbán. Such a position could shield him from prosecution in Hungary. Hungarian investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi stated that Orbán is preparing to move to the US if he faces legal action at home.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda
