Orbán Attends Washington “Board of Peace” Inaugural Session, Briefs Press on Gaza Focus and Ukraine-Linked Energy Dispute

Hungarian PM says the new forum will start with Gaza but could expand to other crises; cites talks with Trump and urges EU action on Druzhba pipeline stoppage

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán traveled to Washington to take part in the inaugural meeting of President Donald Trump’s newly created “Board of Peace”, a gathering that the White House presented as a high-level mechanism to coordinate postwar stabilization and reconstruction efforts—starting with Gaza. After the session, Orbán held a press briefing in which he said the body is currently concentrating on Gaza, but could later address other global flashpoints, while also using the appearance to highlight a separate dispute over the Druzhba (Barátság) oil pipeline and Hungary’s energy security.

AP reported that the Board met for the first time on Feb. 19, 2026, bringing together representatives from nearly 50 countries, with 27 states listed as members and others—including the European Union—attending as observers. Hungary was among the member countries listed by AP.

What the “Board of Peace” meeting covered

U.S. and international reporting described the inaugural session as focused on Gaza’s postwar trajectory, with Trump pledging major funding and officials outlining stabilization concepts. The Washington Post reported Trump pledged $10 billion toward Gaza reconstruction and that speakers described plans including a local police force and an international stabilization force, while questions remained about transparency and governance details.

The Guardian reported the U.S. proposed commanding a multinational force for postwar Gaza and said the meeting included discussion of troop contributions and a large reconstruction vision—alongside skepticism from critics who compared the initiative to a “shadow UN.”

Orbán’s message after the session: Gaza first, but more crises could follow

In his Washington press conference after the inaugural meeting, Orbán said the Board of Peace is “still focusing first on Gaza,” but he would be “very surprised” if later meetings did not turn to additional crisis areas. He portrayed the new forum as a response to what he argued is the inability of large international organizations—such as the United Nations—to reduce the number and severity of crises worldwide.

Energy security: Druzhba pipeline and Orbán’s claim about responsibility

Orbán also addressed Hungary’s energy security in remarks reported by Hungary’s state news agency MTI, saying that those who shut off the Druzhba oil pipeline were “the Ukrainians,” and argued that the European Union should stand up for two of its member states—Hungary and Slovakia—against Ukraine in the matter. He said there was no technical barrier to restarting shipments and framed the issue as factual rather than a technical dispute. Orbán further referenced EU–Ukraine commitments as he described them, arguing that Ukraine’s actions should not endanger the energy security of EU member states.

Hungary’s stated purpose for attending

Ahead of the Washington trip, the Hungarian government said Hungary would use the Board’s inaugural meeting to back what it called Trump’s peace efforts, arguing that both the war in Ukraine and instability in the Middle East affect Central European security.

Orbán had previously signaled his intention to attend the inaugural session, with Euronews reporting earlier this month that he announced the trip at a domestic campaign event and that it was not yet clear at that time whether a bilateral meeting with Trump would occur alongside the Board’s program.