'Would You Blame the Hungarians for 1956?': Von der Leyen Challenges Orban in Fiery European Parliament Exchange

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen launched a direct criticism of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during a recent session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. This confrontation occurred during the long-awaited presentation of Hungary's rotating presidency of the Council of the EU.

Despite the cordial gesture of a gentlemanly kiss on the hand from Orban prior to the meeting, von der Leyen did not hold back her frustration. She questioned Orban regarding Hungary's historical context, asking, "Would you blame the Hungarians for the events of 1956 and the entry of Soviet tanks into Hungary? Would you blame the Czechs and Slovaks for the events of 1968? Would you please wrap up the Lithuanians for 1991?" These remarks were implicitly directed at Orban, highlighting Hungary's stance against military aid to Ukraine, which it has persistently obstructed.

Von der Leyen expressed her concern that some continue to misattribute the causes of the war, implying that they unjustly hold Ukraine responsible instead of recognizing the aggressor, Vladimir Putin. "We Europeans may have a different history, we may speak different languages. But there is no European language where the word 'peace' means to surrender and 'independence' is synonymous with occupation," she asserted, emphasizing the ongoing struggle of Ukrainians for their freedom akin to that of Central and Eastern European nations in the past.

The European Commission President also criticized Orban's calls for a stronger approach to illegal migration and crime, posing pointed questions about the release of criminals from Hungarian prisons and the facilitation of Russian citizens entering the EU without adequate security checks. "How come channelers...