Balazs Orban to BBC: Hungarians Want to Decide for Themselves How to Live + Video

The Hungarian PM's policy chief was interviewed on BBC's news program.

Balazs Orban, the Hungarian PM’s political director (Photo: Zoltan Balogh)

We want no part in the bloodshed

In response, Balazs Orban said that Hungary supports Ukraine in many ways, such as humanitarian aid and energy supply support. Hungarian taxpayers are providing money for the functioning of the Ukrainian state. On the issue of refusing to provide military aid, Balazs Orban highlighted that 

we want to take no part in the killing. I just want to stop killing people for no reason. What's wrong with trying to stop that? If you portray those who disagree with the mainstream policy of the West as Putin's puppet then intellectually all discussions are immediately becoming dead, 

Balazs Orban noted.

National interests

In response to questions pertaining to Hungary's economy, the PM's political director pointed out that "we want to use oil that helps Hungary's economy, which is a decision based on national interests and we have every right to do so. Whether the oil or gas comes from the West or from the East, it makes no difference, because it's a practical question on our side". Balazs Orban emphasized that "we don't want to give up our sovereignty and we want to decide who we cooperate with in the filed of energy policy".

The Hungarian position is always based on Hungary's interests, and we don't care if we're criticized. We are ready to cooperate with our European partners in all fields, as long as it rests on an equal legal footing. We have to do our best to achieve this, but we want to maintain our sovereignty in foreign policy. Actually, I think in this new world order, more and more countries should do the same,

the politician explained. "We will continue to protect the Hungarian people. I personally, and the prime minister and all the right-wing politicians will not let Hungary down when it comes to illegal migration as it happened in many Western countries," said Balazs Orban when asked about the country's anti-immigration policy.

Cover photo: Balazs Orban, the Hungarian PM’s political director (Photo: MTI/Zoltan Balogh)