Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been adamant in not supporting the crucial European Union (EU) aid package for Ukraine, expressing sympathy for his neighbour, but nothing more to help Ukraine push back its troops. Russia.
Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha on May 23, the Hungarian leader said Ukraine "has no chance to win this war", and that the conflict can only be resolved diplomatically.
“Looking at the facts, the numbers, the background, the fact that NATO is not ready to send troops, it is clear that there is no victory for the poor Ukrainians on the battlefield. That's my view," Orban said, offering a bleak outlook that few European leaders openly agree with.
“The war can only be stopped if the Russians reach an agreement with the Americans. In Europe, we're not happy with that, but it's the only way out."
Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict erupted 15 months ago, Hungary - an EU and NATO member - has refused to sever ties with Moscow and opposes NATO expansion. Like Turkey, Hungary has yet to ratify Sweden's membership in the military alliance, and Prime Minister Orban has raised specific concerns about Ukraine's NATO hopes.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrived in Doha on the evening of May 21, 5, for an official visit to Qatar. Photo: Gulf Times
A populist, the 59-year-old politician often heats up debates in Brussels whenever the 27 EU member states must reach unanimous decisions on stiff sanctions. tougher on Russia or more financial and military aid to Ukraine.
Last week, Mr Orban protested against the EU sending more military aid to Ukraine after the administration of President Volodymyr Zelensky put OTP Bank, Hungary's largest commercial bank, on a "blacklist".
At an event in Doha on May 23, Orban said that if Ukraine needed more money, Kiev should respect Hungary and not punish Hungarian companies. He added that Budapest "is not part of the mainstream European approach".
“Hungary is in a unique position because Ukraine is not far away. We have ethnic minorities living in Ukraine and they are part of the war. They had to enlist, they were soldiers in the Ukrainian army and many of them died. So we are losing lives - Hungarian lives too," he said, referring to ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine.
“Our hearts go out to the Ukrainian people. We understand how much has happened,” he said. “But I am speaking here as a politician and the solution is to save lives.”.
Minh Đức (According to Al Jazeera, Bloomberg)
