Hungary’s “Eastern Opening” policy toward Russia: ties that bind?
Hungary’s “Eastern Opening” policy toward Russia: ties that bind?

Summary/Abstract: Hungary is often viewed as Russia’s new Trojan horse in the European Union owing to its deepening relations with Russia as part of its “Eastern Opening” policy, its increasing energy proximity and strong opposition to the EU sanctions. This article briefly outlines Hungary’s “Eastern Opening” policy in the Russian context and then analyzes whether the Trojan Horse observation is correct by discussing how Hungary’s trade and energy relations with Russia have evolved. It goes on to look at the Paks-2 deal and Hungarian reactions to the sanctions regime before concluding that by signing the Paks-2 deal, the Orbán government drove Hungary to a point at which the Russian side of its foreign policy came into unavoidable conflict with its relations within the EU. If the deal is set in motion, Hungary risks being tied to Moscow’s orbit and thus becoming its Trojan Horse.

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