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For Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin (70), Hungary is the last good line to the European Union. The country has not yet participated in military support to Ukraine. Several European sanctions packages have been postponed by Budapest. In addition, the country opposes Ukraine’s accession to the EU or NATO.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban (60) heads the Hungarian government. In an interview with the Bild newspaper, he explains why he believes that Ukraine has no chance of standing up to the Kremlin.
The Prigozhin Uprising
Orban was the first to comment on the uprising of mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin (62). The head of the Wagner group entered Rostov-on-Don with his troops on Saturday and then moved on towards Moscow. The mutiny prompted Putin to declare Prigozhin a traitor. A few hours later the agreement followed – the uprising was stopped.
While the world watched the uprising in Russia with trepidation, Orban downplayed it: “I don’t see much significance in this event.” For him it was an internal Russian affair that deserved little attention.
Some experts interpret the uprising as an indication of Putin’s weakness. Orban, on the other hand, says it’s “a sign of strength” that the issue is resolved within 24 hours.
About the role of Putin
The Prime Minister of Hungary is not even beginning to believe that Putin is done. “Of course” the Kremlin boss will remain in office in 2024, Orban emphasises. “He is stable, he is an elected leader of Russia and he is popular and the structures behind him are quite strong.”
According to Orban, Russia functions differently from other European countries. It is “a military-oriented country”. Accordingly, the wealth is distributed differently. If you want to understand Russia from a Western logic, you are “always wrong”.
About the course of the war
Although Orban emphasizes that he “hopes the Ukrainians have a chance to survive”, he doesn’t think they have a chance of victory. “That is impossible.” The reason: “The problem is that the Ukrainians will run out of soldiers sooner than the Russians, and that will ultimately be the deciding factor.”
For that reason, he considers the military support of the West “a failure”. Orban refers to a conversation he had with Putin before the war started. Putin has admitted that the Ukrainian army is very strong, but at the same time he believes “that time is on the Russian side”. Orban also believes the Kremlin can hold out longer.
On the role of the West
Ukraine is currently “no longer a sovereign country”. She has no money and no weapons of her own, but depends on the West. That’s why he passes the ball back to Ukraine supporters: “So if the Americans decide they want peace, peace will come.”
Orban therefore sees no danger to the West from Putin. It is impossible for the Russians to attack other countries “because they are not strong enough”. The war in Ukraine has shown that NATO is “much stronger” than Russia.
to a possible end to the war
Orban explains that he only cares about one thing: “I always advocate peace, peace, peace.” Therefore, the warring parties must strive for an immediate ceasefire. It is not a priority for Ukraine to regain its territory.
The only way to save the Ukrainians is “for the Americans to start negotiations with the Russians and agree on a security architecture and find a place for Ukraine in this new security architecture.” (Darling)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
