Budapest, August 30, 2023 - Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary, has expressed his opposition to the potential integration of Ukraine into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The statement was made today, according to reports published by Prensa Latina.
Prime Minister Orban also emphasized the importance of pursuing dialogue with Russia in addressing the ongoing conflict and questioned the effectiveness of the sanctions imposed by Western countries against Moscow. These sanctions were imposed following the deployment of a special military operation in the Donbass region in February of the previous year.
Speaking to the press, Prime Minister Orban suggested that an alternative approach could be to establish a new security architecture involving Russia and Ukraine. This approach, he stated, should prioritize Ukraine's sovereignty without necessitating its integration into NATO.
Prime Minister Orban further elaborated that he considers it "unrealistic" for Ukraine to regain control of the Crimean peninsula. He also shared his anticipation that due to the numerical superiority of Russian forces, Ukrainian forces may face challenges in winning the ongoing conflict.
The Prime Minister's remarks shed light on Hungary's perspective on the ongoing situation between Ukraine, Russia, and the West. It underscores the complexities and varying viewpoints surrounding the geopolitical dynamics in the region.