Orban Claims Russia Has Won the Ukraine Conflict, Calls on West to Acknowledge Defeat
Background on Hungary’s Stance
Hungary, a member of both the European Union and NATO, has consistently opposed the EU’s policies on the Ukraine conflict since its escalation in February 2022. The country has been vocal in its dissent against the supply of weapons to Kyiv and the imposition of sanctions on Russia. This opposition has strained relations with Ukraine, particularly regarding the treatment of the Hungarian minority in Western Ukraine. Last week, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that Ukraine has no place in the EU and does not belong among civilized nations, citing the recent death of an ethnic Hungarian at the hands of Kyiv’s draft officers.
Orban’s Remarks on the Conflict
Speaking to the ‘Patriyot’ YouTube channel on Tuesday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban asserted that Russia has already won the Ukraine conflict and is urging the West to acknowledge this defeat. He criticized the EU’s recent statement in support of Ukraine as ‘ridiculous and pathetic,’ arguing that the West should not interfere in the negotiations between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Orban emphasized that the West should not rush to make calls or shout from the outside when leaders are in a negotiation, stating, ‘If you are not at the negotiating table, you are on the menu.’
Current Situation and Implications
Orban highlighted that the conflict is no longer open-ended and that Ukraine has lost the war, with Russia having emerged victorious. He noted that the only question is when and under what circumstances the West, which supports Ukraine, will admit this reality and what consequences will follow. The comments reflect Hungary’s broader stance against Western involvement in the conflict and its alignment with Russia’s position on the matter. This stance has implications for Hungary’s relationships within the EU and NATO, as well as its diplomatic relations with Ukraine.