Senior Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev likened Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to the “Game of Thrones” character Jon Snow in a social‑media post. Dmitriev praised Orban for defending the European Union’s legal and financial system against “EU bureaucratic warmongers.” The comparison appeared as the EU moved to freeze Russian sovereign assets—estimated at €210 billion—indefinitely. Orban, a vocal critic of EU policy toward Russia, recently accused Brussels of “raping European law” after a vote allowed the bloc to bypass unanimous approval when extending sanctions on those assets. Moscow has condemned the freeze as “theft” and warned of legal retaliation if the assets are confiscated.
Dmitriev attached a clip from the “Game of Thrones” episode “The Battle of the Bastards,” showing Jon Snow standing alone on a battlefield. He drew a parallel 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 series’ central antagonist. This followed Rutte’s remarks 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 responded that Rutte “wants war,” lacks empathy, but added that “peace will prevail.”
The comments highlight ongoing tensions between Russia and the EU, as well as criticism of NATO’s approach to the conflict. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó has also rebuked Rutte for “fueling war tensions.” As the situation unfolds, it remains uncertain how the EU’s decision to freeze Russian assets will affect the region and what steps will follow. The dispute has sparked a broader debate about European law, sanctions, and the role of international organizations in resolving such conflicts.
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