Orbán Compares Himself to a “Mouse” Helping Putin’s “Lion” in Leaked Call

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told Vladimir Putin he was ready to assist him “in any way” during a previously undisclosed phone call, even offering to help organize talks related to Russia’s war against Ukraine, according to Bloomberg on April 7.

“Yesterday our friendship rose to such a high level that I can help in any way,” Orbán said, according to a Hungarian government transcript of the October call reviewed by Bloomberg. “In any matter where I can be of assistance, I am at your service.”

To emphasize the point, Orbán referenced a well-known fable, comparing himself to a mouse aiding a lion. The story describes a small animal freeing a powerful predator from a trap after being spared earlier. According to the transcript, the remark drew laughter from the Russian leader.

The call, which took place on October 17, 2025, and lasted less than 15 minutes with translation, has not been publicly disclosed before. As reported by Bloomberg, its contents provide rare insight into the tone and substance of direct communication between the two leaders.

A central topic of the discussion was the possibility of Hungary hosting a high-level meeting involving Russia and the United States. Orbán expressed readiness to help lay the groundwork for such a summit in Budapest, an idea that was under consideration at the time.

According to Bloomberg, Putin outlined a potential pathway toward the meeting, beginning with preliminary talks between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Russian leader also suggested involving Hungary’s foreign minister in the process.

Hungary was described in the call as one of the few European countries acceptable as a venue for such talks, with Putin noting that it was “perhaps the only” viable option under the circumstances.

The discussion also reflected a high degree of mutual appreciation. Orbán described his relationship with Putin as having deepened over time, while the Russian leader praised Hungary’s “independent and flexible” position on the war in Ukraine.

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According to Bloomberg, a person familiar with the matter confirmed the transcript’s authenticity.

Although the proposed summit in Budapest ultimately did not take place, the exchange highlights Hungary’s willingness to position itself as an intermediary in discussions involving Russia, even as most European countries maintain distance from Moscow.

The call began with Orbán congratulating Putin on his birthday and ended on a personal note, with both leaders briefly discussing their health and daily routines.

Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán publicly committed to maintaining a blockade on European financing for Ukraine. This position will remain until Kyiv restores the flow of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline.

The Prime Minister stated that there are no physical obstacles preventing the operation of the Druzhba pipeline. He described the situation as a political choice made by Ukrainian authorities.

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