– "In terms of the Ukraine war, there are two groups in the EU: there's us, and there are the others. From the very beginning, Hungary declared that it does not want to participate in the war efforts. The other countries all talk about fighting a war against Russia,” PM Viktor Orban told public Kossuth Radio’s Good Morning, Hungary program in his Friday morning interview , adding that the EU is acting as though it is a party to the conflict.
The conflict cannot be resolved on the battlefield, therefore we need negotiations, and we must try to end the war as soon as possible to return to a peaceful life,
– he added. PM Orban indicated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's victory plan is doomed to fail, and will only lead to defeat.
Ukraine’s nuclear plans
Responding to a question that Ukraine is developing a nuclear weapon, PM Orban emphasized that he hadn’t heard such statements from President Zelensky when they spoke in person. They communicate through interpreters, so there could be slight nuances, the prime minister added.
He explained that intelligence services are already working to determine whether Ukraine does actually have a nuclear strategy.
Since the war began, the balance of powers has shifted in Russia’s favor, according to PM Orban, which means that Ukraine cannot negotiate from a position of strength, despite advice from the West, while the death toll keeps mounting on the front lines.
Pro-war European People's Party
PM Orban underlined that the European People’s Party (EPP), led by Manfred Weber, is the most fervent supporter of the war.
In his view, it’s time for negotiations, and it would be beneficial if the German Chancellor and French President commenced talks with Russia. However, the European People’s Party hold a different position regarding this issue.
The People’s Party envisions a policy that is bad for Hungarians,
– Mr. Orban remarked, noting that during last week’s European Parliament debate, the People’s Party expressed dissatisfaction with the current Hungarian government and would prefer a pro-Brussels government in Budapest, with the Tisza Party - a member of the EPP - in charge.