EditOrbán embraces Erdoğan’s vision of a common future with the rising “Turkic world”
"Hungary is in the West, but it is not part of the Slavic, Germanic, or Latin world. Our relatives are in the East," said the Hungarian PM
Following his November meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, where he secured a one-year exemption for Hungary from American sanctions on Russian energy imports, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán traveled to Istanbul on 8 December to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan – a leader he has now met 32 times.
Orbán lavished praise on Erdoğan, highlighting his vision for a “Turkish world” and declaring that “new times are coming,” in which this ambitious project would gain significant momentum and energy. The leaders also reaffirmed Turkey’s critical role in guaranteeing the continued flow of Russian gas to Hungary via the TurkStream pipeline, underscoring their deepening strategic partnership on energy security, migration control, and peace efforts.
During a joint press conference at Istanbul’s historic Dolmabahçe Palace, Orbán reaffirmed Hungary’s firm support for Turkey’s longstanding strategic objective of achieving full membership in the European Union.
Turkey has been a candidate for EU membership since 1999, with accession negotiations launched in 2005. However, progress has been stalled since 2018 amid concerns over democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights within the country.
Highlighting Hungary’s unique position within the bloc, Orbán noted that Hungarians often feel isolated in the EU, as they do not share the dominant German, Slavic, or Latin cultural traditions, making the deepening partnership with Ankara all the more precious and strategically vital.
Energy security: Turkey guarantees Russian gas transit
Orbán announced that the two leaders agreed Turkey would secure the route for continued Russian gas deliveries to Hungary. “Today, we agreed with President Erdoğan that Turkey will provide the route for all this,” he said, noting that Hungary has already received 7.5 billion cubic meters of gas through TurkStream this year.
This agreement follows Hungary’s recent exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian energy (secured after Orbán’s meeting with President Donald Trump) and ongoing supplies from Russia. Orbán described the Turkish guarantee as a “serious matter,” essential amid geopolitical uncertainties, and thanked Erdoğan for enabling close cooperation between the countries’ leading energy companies.
The TurkStream pipeline has become vital for Hungary’s energy security, especially since the Russia-Ukraine war disrupted alternative routes. Orbán stressed that cheaper Russian gas reaches Hungary exclusively through this southern corridor.
In October, as NATO defence ministers convened in Brussels to bolster military aid for Ukraine, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó traveled to Moscow to attend the Russian Energy Week forum. There, he firmly rejected external pressure on Hungary’s energy policies, emphasizing that Budapest would prioritize national interests in securing reliable supplies.
Szijjártó revealed that Russia had delivered approximately 3.6 million metric tons of oil to Hungary since the start of the year, with exports projected to reach between 5 and 5.5 million tons in 2025 – equivalent to about 100,000 barrels per day. He added that Hungary intended to maintain similar volumes in 2026.
Despite ongoing criticism from EU and NATO allies, Hungary has steadfastly preserved its heavy reliance on Russian energy throughout the Ukraine conflict, viewing it as essential for economic stability and energy security.
Historical ties and the rising Turkic World
Orbán underscored Hungary’s cultural and ethnic links to the Turkic world, stating: “Hungary is in the West, but it is not part of the Slavic, Germanic, or Latin world. Our relatives are in the East.” He noted that relations weakened over the past century but have strengthened since 2010, crediting Erdoğan for inviting Hungary as an observer to the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).
The Organization of Turkic States (OTS), founded in 2009, is a regional intergovernmental body uniting Turkic-speaking countries to promote cultural, economic, and political collaboration. Its core members are Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, with Hungary, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and Turkmenistan as observers. Based in Istanbul, the OTS works to strengthen linguistic and cultural bonds, boost trade, energy, and transport links – particularly through the Trans-Caspian/Middle Corridor—and enhance security cooperation.
“The truly vibrant and developing world around Hungary is the Turkic world,” Orbán said, adding that Hungarians wish to capitalize on these roots. He praised Erdoğan’s vision of a “Turkish century,” where the Turkic world gathers significant energy and influence.
Hungary’s observer status in the OTS reflects this alignment, with Orbán highlighting the organization’s growing role in regional dynamics.
Economic progress and new targets
Bilateral trade has surged from around $2.5 billion when high-level meetings began to nearly $6 billion today. Erdoğan proposed a new goal of $10 billion annually, which Orbán welcomed. The leaders oversaw the signing of agreements in fields including security, culture, aviation, technology, and education.
2025 was declared the Turkey-Hungary Year of Science and Innovation, with joint projects already underway.
Shared stance on migration, Ukraine war, and defence
Orbán thanked Turkey for its migration policy, crediting it with detaining hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants annually and hosting over three million – preventing a “sea of illegal migration” from overwhelming Europe. He pledged Hungary’s support in Brussels for recognizing Turkey’s efforts.
On the Russia-Ukraine war, both leaders advocate peace. “There is no solution on the battlefield,” Orbán said, praising Erdoğan as the “only successful mediator” early in the conflict. They agreed to coordinate peace efforts. The two countries compete for hosting Ukraine peace talks.
The meeting also advanced defence industry cooperation, with Orbán noting Europe’s shifting economy makes military-industrial ties increasingly important.
Pre-meeting remarks by Orbán en route to Istanbul outlined four priorities: economy and trade, migration, the war, and energy. The visit included the inaugural Turkey-Hungary Joint Consultation Mechanism, focusing on foreign policy, security, and defence.
The strong personal rapport between Orbán and Erdoğan – culminating in their 32nd meeting, continues to drive bilateral relations, positioning the two nations as aligned on key issues despite Hungary’s EU membership and Turkey’s regional power status.
Sources: BGNES, Reuters, Daily Sabah
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Caption: A handout photo made available by Hungarian PM’s General Department of Communication shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) welcomes Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Istanbul, Turkey, 8 December 2025. EPA/AKOS KAISER/HUNGARY PM’S COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT
Updated: December 9, 2025 - 14:30
