Budapest has resisted stress to sanction Moscow over its navy operation in Ukraine
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban mentioned he’s “proud” to keep up good relations with Russia, accusing different European nations of pursuing a “struggle technique” that may solely stoke extra battle.
Talking to reporters after arriving for an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels on Thursday, Orban defined that his nation’s strategy differs from the “majority” of the bloc, which has adopted a variety of hostile insurance policies focusing on Russia since Moscow despatched forces into Ukraine in February 2022.
“We hold open all of the communication strains to the Russians. In any other case, there might be no probability for peace. This can be a technique. So we’re pleased with it,” he mentioned, including that whereas most EU members observe “a struggle technique,” Hungary has “a peace technique.”
The PM’s remarks adopted a gathering with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing final week, which Orban defended whereas in Brussels. “We’re the one one who’s talking on behalf and in favor of the peace which might be the curiosity of everyone in Europe,” he continued.
The Hungarian chief has confronted criticism over the sit-down with Putin, with Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel saying it amounted to a “center finger” to Ukrainians. Estonian premier Kaja Kallas additionally mentioned she would focus on the difficulty with Orban.
Whereas Budapest condemned the Russian navy operation in Ukraine quickly after it was launched final 12 months, Orban has refused to participate within the US-led sanctions marketing campaign towards Moscow, and refused to supply arms to Kiev. The PM beforehand argued that Western sanctions had “backfired,” saying that Brussels had “shot itself within the foot” following a spike in power costs throughout Europe.
Orban has been extremely important of the EU prior to now. Talking to mark the anniversary of Hungary’s failed 1956 rebellion towards the Soviet Union earlier this week, Orban slammed the bloc as a “dangerous modern parody” of the USSR, saying it has labored to impose a mannequin of liberal democracy that the Hungarian folks have rejected.
“We needed to dance to the tune that Moscow whistled,” Orban mentioned of Hungary’s a long time underneath Soviet management. “Brussels whistles too, however we dance as we wish to, and if we don’t wish to, then we don’t dance.”
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