Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been likened to Game of Thrones character Jon Snow by senior Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev. In a social media post, Dmitriev praised Orban for defending the European Union’s legal and financial system against “EU bureaucratic warmongers.” The comparison was made as the EU moved to indefinitely freeze Russian sovereign assets, estimated to be worth €210 billion.
Orban has been a vocal critic of the EU’s policies on Russia, and recently accused Brussels of “raping European law” after a vote allowed the bloc to bypass unanimous approval when extending sanctions on Russian assets. Moscow has condemned the freeze as “theft” and warned of legal retaliation if the assets are confiscated.
Dmitriev’s comments came as he attached a clip from the Game of Thrones episode “The Battle of the Bastards,” which shows Jon Snow standing alone on a battlefield. The comparison draws parallels between Orban’s stance against the EU and Snow’s portrayal as a reluctant leader who chooses duty over ambition.
In a separate post, Dmitriev criticized NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, comparing him to the Night King, the central antagonist of Game of Thrones. This followed Rutte’s comments accusing Russia of “bringing war back to Europe” and urging NATO members to prepare for a conflict on a scale faced by earlier generations. Dmitriev countered that Rutte “wants war” and lacks empathy, but added that “peace will prevail.”
The comments reflect the ongoing tensions between Russia and the EU, as well as the criticisms leveled against NATO’s stance on the conflict. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has also criticized Rutte for “fueling war tensions.” As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the EU’s decision to freeze Russian assets will impact the region and what steps will be taken next. The conflict has sparked a wider debate about European law, sanctions, and the role of international organizations in resolving disputes.
