In recent days, shortly after Hungary took over the presidency of the Council of the EU, Mr. Viktor Orban decided to travel to Moscow and meet with Russian President Putin – causing a stir in diplomatic circles with this decision.
“We are living in a very special moment. We have war. And it would be hypocritical not to address how to put an end to this,” the Hungarian Prime Minister said in an exclusive interview with WELT. He also clarified how “In war it is not a question of who is right and who is wrong, (…) but of who will live and who will not. In Brussels, Paris or near the Atlantic we are at such a distance that perhaps we can see the war in a more theoretical context. But the reality of the war is very surreal”, the Hungarian politician points out, adding that “even if the two leaders (President Zelensky and President put on) are opposed to a quick ceasefire, both know deep down that it would be better, starting tomorrow, if no Russians and no Ukrainians died.”
“Russians are reasonable”
Asked about the possibility of Russia attacking a NATO member state, and whether he had discussed the matter with President Putin, Orbán was unequivocal: “I don’t want to be ridiculous. No serious person can say that Russia intends to attack NATO. (…) The Russians are reasonable.”
With the US presidential election in mind, Orbán refuses to take a direct position in favor of one candidate or another. It seems, however, that he views with favor a possible return of Donald Trump to the White House, of a man who “believes more in direct communication and diplomacy” than many European politicians. Furthermore, “he is an entrepreneur, he is self-made, he has a different way of dealing with issues – and this will be good for world politics”, he says.
Finally, Orban admits to German media that he misses Angela Merkel, but also that with her in the chancellery we would never have achieved the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia. “Because Merkel has the skills, the understanding and the competences needed to isolate conflicts that are harmful to Europe. (…) Instead of isolating the war, we have contributed to its escalation and internationalized it.”
Source: Deutsche Welle