Orbán: There must always be something between Hungary and Russia – call it Ukraine

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has said his country is interested in the continued existence of Ukraine because it is important for Hungarians that there is "always something" between Hungary and Russia.

Source: European Pravda, citing Orbán's speech in the Hungarian parliament

Details: Orbán said that when Hungary was a neighbour of the Soviet Union, it was not beneficial for the country.

"That is why we are interested not in weakening Ukraine but in strengthening it. There should always be something – you could even call it Ukraine – between Russia and Hungary. We look at the world not from the perspective of Ukrainians but from the perspective of Hungarians, and the security of Hungarians can be guaranteed more successfully if we are not neighbours with Russia," he noted.

He added that this is why "Ukraine can always count on Hungary's support".

"The only question is how we see Ukraine's place in this Europe. We do not want to let them into the EU. They already behave as if they were members. They demand, threaten and blackmail, even though they are not members," Orbán said.

He added that Hungary does not "want to see such people, such a country in the Union", but will seek a strategic agreement between the EU and Ukraine that would determine Ukraine's future "in a way that is beneficial for Europe and for us Hungarians".

Background:

• Orbán has long argued that Ukraine should remain a "buffer zone" between Russia and the rest of Europe.
• He has also said that such a buffer status for Ukraine would help ensure peace in the post-war period.

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