PM Orbán: Ukraine cannot win, but Russia can defeat Kyiv
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There seems to be no solution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and that leaves European politics “paralysed”, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said at the Antalya Diplomatic Forum on Friday.
Ukraine cannot win
“If you think that time is on the Ukrainian and the Western side, and continuing the war can provide military success for the Ukrainians, it’s reasonable to continue. If you think that time is more on the Russian side, and continuing the war would bring more success to the Russians, for the Ukrainians it is better to stop now. I belong to the second camp,” Orbán said.
He said “we are in trouble” because many countries consider the conflict as “our war” and “if the enemy proves to be stronger … you belong to the losers … and it’s very difficult to explain how to behave and how to get out of a situation when you lose a war”.
On another subject, Orbán said he was often referred to as “Putin’s dog” or a “Trojan horse”, but added that “It requires psychotherapy. It’s not a political discussion.”
He added that he was not viewing the war “through the eyeglasses of Ukraine or those of Putin” but from a Hungarian perspective.
“I have to represent the interest of my country and my nation … when something is good for the Hungarians, I will support and when something is bad, I will oppose it,” he said.
Hungarians are dying in the war in Ukraine
Orbán noted the ethnic Hungarian community in Transcarpathia, who have lived there for one thousand years and are now getting conscripted to the Ukrainian army.
“Hungarians are dying in the war in Ukraine,” Orbán said, adding that they belong to the Hungarian nation. Peace in Ukraine would ensure security “to Hungarian lives”, he added.
“That’s one reason, beyond some others, why we are very much committed as Hungarians to peace,” Orbán said.
The prime minister was asked if he saw Hungary’s future in the European Union.
God should be in the centre of European politics
“Of course, if you are Hungarian, you are European,” he said.
“Hungary will always have a special geopolitical place in the European Union,” Orbán said, adding that the country was a member of the Turkic Council “because we are the only nation of eastern origin in Europe, or at least the only one which is proud of it”.
He added, however, that it was a question how the community wanted to shape its future. Currently, Europe is based on a progressive, liberal ideology, he said.
“God is out of political considerations,” Orbán said, adding that the notions of the nation and national pride were considered with suspicion.
History proved that foreign powers have not been successful in defeating Russia. Both Napoleon and Hitler failed miserably. There is something in the character of the Russian people, it may be the love of their country, but the people do not seem to accept defeat. Russia is very rich in minerals, energy and has adequate food supply. On top of that, the population is more than 3 times that of Ukraine.
Ukraine managed to stay in the war because of western supply. Once that supply dries up, Ukraine will lose.
It is always a big error to go to war without proper preparation and adequate supply of food and weapons by a home country. Ukraine was unprepared nor did they have the required weapon supply. On top of that, there is corruption. This does not bode well for Ukraine.
Russia has been defeated many times in many wars where it has been involved – history has proved that.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_Russia
And it can be defeated again with western help, just like Russia defeated Hitler with western help.
But it does no look good for Ukraine as strong enough help is not being given to Ukraine. Hopefully situation will change.
Ostanus, your list is quite correct, although Russia hasn’t been defeated on its own territory since Golden Horde except for several times, and those loses should be treated not as alone standing victories over Russia but in a row of occasions.
For example, several loses from Sweden in the 17th century resulted then in a huge defeat of Sweden in 1721.
Besides, please recall that Russia is in possession of nuclear weapon (and and it has a very substantial amount, not like the U.K. or France). So it is impossible to defeat Russia on its own territory.
P.S. Western help in WW 2 is also a bit controversial. Yes, Lend Lease took place, but with it or without the USSR would have won that war.
Please consider what it means, if our Politicians “plan” pans out to have a “Peace!” on Russian terms in Ukraine.
Then again, Messrs. Szijjártó and Orbán do enjoy their little get togethers with Mr. Lukashenko and Mr. Putin, lovely new neighbours / spheres of influence to immerse Hungary in.
All heckling aside: if you follow Mr. Medvedev´s Telegram channel, regardless on where you stand on Ukraine, I believe you will feel very uncomfortable as to where Mr. Putin´s Russia stands on “Peace!”. Makes Mr. Lavrov look like a meek puppy. Disturbing.