Hungarian Prime Minister identifies causes of Russia-Ukraine conflict, predicts prospects for peace

In an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson on February 14, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that the main cause of the conflict in Ukraine is the intention to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a factor that is completely unacceptable to Russia.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban gives an interview to American journalist Tucker Carlson. (Source: atv.hu)

“My position on the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine has always been: Don’t forget that this is not just a conflict about Ukraine. Make no mistake. The strategic reason for this war is called ‘NATO expansion’,” Mr. Orban said.

According to the Hungarian Prime Minister, whether NATO wants it or not, Moscow will certainly never allow the North Atlantic military alliance to move closer to Russia's borders.

Hungarian Prime Minister Orban predicts that the conflict in Ukraine could end within six months or sooner.

American journalist Tucker Carlson asked Prime Minister Orban whether he considered six months a realistic time frame to end the conflict?

“Yes. Absolutely. Even earlier. I think so,” Mr. Orban replied.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump had a phone call on February 12 that lasted nearly 90 minutes. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the two leaders discussed issues related to the exchange of Russian and US citizens, as well as the settlement of the situation in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, on February 14, in an interview with reporters in the Oval Office of the White House while signing new executive orders, when asked whether Russia or Ukraine would be responsible for the outbreak of the conflict, US President Donald Trump avoided answering directly and said that many parties were responsible.

“I think a lot of people are guilty,” Mr. Trump said.

The head of the White House explained: “All I can say is simply this: If I were President (of the United States in the period of 2021 - 2025), this conflict would never have happened. And you know what else would not have happened? The Middle East would not have exploded, there would not have been (the tragic events) on October 7 (2023). There would have been no inflation (in the United States) for two years. There would not have been a military conflict between Russia and Ukraine.”

Also regarding the future of peace negotiations in Ukraine, on February 14, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that there can be no peace in Ukraine without taking into account the interests of the Ukrainian people and the European people.

Speaking at the start of the Munich Security Conference, Ms. Baerbock stressed: "A fake peace for the people of Ukraine and the people of Europe will not bring any benefits. A fake peace will not bring lasting security, neither for the people of Ukraine, nor for us in Europe or the United States."

The comments came after US President Trump surprised his country's allies by calling Russian President Vladimir Putin and announcing the start of peace talks.

Germany's foreign minister called for in-depth talks with US and international partners at the Munich Security Conference, an annual international gathering of political leaders, military officers and diplomats in the German city.

“Peace can only be achieved through strength. This requires tough and lasting security guarantees for Ukraine, a strong NATO and progress in Ukraine’s accession negotiations to the European Union,” Baerbock said.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/thu-tuong-hungary-chi-ra-nguyen-nhan-xung-dot-nga-ukraine-du-doan-trien-vong-hoa-binh-304392.html