Sybiha outlines diplomatic countermeasure for potential UN chief Orbán

Andrii Sybiha, the Ukrainian foreign minister, stated on X that Kyiv possesses a proven method for managing Viktor Orbán if he assumes the role of UN secretary general. Sybiha expressed confidence that Orbán would rely on what he termed "masterful veto and blackmail skills" to derail international decisions, mirroring tactics the Hungarian leader used within the European Union.

The proposed tactic involves inviting Orbán for coffee at a strategic moment. This references an incident at an EU summit in late 2023 where Orbán left the meeting room, allowing other leaders to approve opening accession negotiations with Ukraine without a Budapest veto. Sybiha wrote that Ukraine intends to share this "great experience" with the global community to neutralize the former prime minister’s influence.

The comments respond to reporting by The Wall Street Journal indicating that the US administration is promoting Orbán for the top UN post. The administration is reportedly counting on backing from China and Russia to secure the appointment. Earlier reports in May suggested that figures in the MAGA wing of the Republican Party considered the move to shield Orbán from potential prosecution in Hungary. Hungarian journalist Szabolcs Panyi added that Orbán is preparing to move to the US if legal action proceeds domestically.

The next step in the process involves the formal nomination of a candidate for the UN secretary general position. The US administration is expected to finalize its endorsement of Orbán before submitting the name to the UN Security Council for a vote.