Trump Backs Orbán for UN Chief as Moscow Signals Support

The Trump administration is supporting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for the role of United Nations secretary-general, according to The Wall Street Journal [1]. Washington is reportedly counting on support from Moscow and Beijing for his candidacy [1].

Orbán recently blocked a €90 billion European Union loan to Ukraine [1]. According to the Journal's editorial board, Orbán said he would consider the nomination, though he does not want to enter the race without confidence that he can win [1].

The move comes as President Trump is considering lifting sanctions on Russia's flagship investment fund, the latest in a series of U.S. concessions to Moscow [2]. Trump is pursuing economic incentives in hopes of securing an end to the war in Ukraine [2].

The White House has also proposed restoring U.S. oil companies' business ties in Russia after the war in Ukraine ends, as a way to push President Vladimir Putin toward peace talks, according to the working title of a draft [3]. The idea would offer American oil majors a return to Russian deals in exchange for progress on ending the conflict [3].

Meanwhile, Finland and Norway have made a rare direct call to Putin, breaking with Western efforts to isolate him diplomatically [4]. The two Nordic leaders urged de-escalation ahead of peace talks scheduled for November, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the leaders pressed Putin over Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure [4]. The Kremlin repeated that any settlement must address Russia's demands [4].

The diplomatic outreach was not welcomed by all European leaders, exposing a split in the continent's approach to ending the war [5].

Russia is also trying to steer upcoming talks on Ukraine away from its ongoing invasion, with sources telling The Telegraph that the Kremlin wants to push NATO to withdraw troops from Europe's eastern flank [6].

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the erosion of the global order means middle powers in Europe and Asia must become more assertive [7]. Speaking during a visit to Singapore, Merz said Europe and Germany want to expand free trade based on open competition, reliability and a rules-based order [7].