Could this be Putin’s plan? Does Hungary side with Russia?
Is Putin a madman? What is his real plan? What is Hungary’s position in the war? Read on to find out the answers to these urging questions.
Putin: cunning strategist or crazy maniac?
“What if Putin didn’t miscalculate?”,
starts his article Bret Stephens, a The New York Times publicist.
According to the journalist, the Russian president’s position could be strengthened if he was seen as a madman instead of a cunning schemer. Stephens is not convinced that the Russian president has really lost his common sense and miscalculated his invasion of Ukraine, as his critics would like to portray it.
Is the West making a mistake?
Stephens believes that this view leads to the West itself wanting to provide some sort of escape route for the Russian leader: Putin can seize some territory, the Ukrainians will pledge neutrality, and some of the sanctions against Russia can be lifted if he gets out of the war.
Furthermore, Stephens also suggests that the Russian president may have never intended to conquer all of Ukraine. He quotes the words of Canadian energy expert David Knight Legg:
“Under the guise of an invasion, Putin is executing an enormous heist.”
According to him, Putin is less interested in uniting the ethnic Russians than in securing his country’s position as an energy superpower. Right from the beginning, he has focused on the energy-rich east part of Ukraine and the Crimean offshore deposits, as well as on the conquest of the Ukrainian coast.
“As for what’s left of a mostly landlocked Ukraine, it will likely become a welfare case for the West, which will help pick up the tab for resettling Ukraine’s refugees to new homes outside of Russian control,”
writes Stephens.
As we can read in an article on rtl.hu, the presidential seat could be occupied by an Orbán-like figure as well, the kind of person Stephens believes Putin would like to see at the head of his neighbouring countries.
Stephens concludes his article by saying that although his assumption may be wrong, he believes that
“it’s always wiser to treat your adversary as a canny fox, not a crazy fool.”
Will Szijjártó ever take a position on the war?
The Slovak Foreign Minister specifically called on Szijjártó to take a stand on the Russian invasion, as 444.hu reports.
Foreign ministers from NATO’s eastern member states (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Poland, Latvia and Slovakia) discussed the Ukrainian situation in Bratislava on Tuesday. At the meeting, Péter Szijjártó spoke mainly about the Hungarian opposition to the foreign ministers.
- Read also: Breaking – Hungarian veto killed EU rebuff on Putin’s demand about gas payments in rubles
When asked about Hungary’s position on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ivan Korčok, Slovak Foreign Minister said:
“It is important that the alliance is united. I also asked the Hungarian Foreign Minister for a clear position during our meeting.”
According to 444.hu, Szijjártó’s replied the followings:
“At the meeting, the Hungarian Government reiterated its position that the Russian-Ukrainian war is not Hungary’s war and that the Hungarian Government will do everything to protect the Hungarian people from this war.”
Read alsoUkrainian-Hungarian diplomatic conflict deepening
Source: rtl.hu, 444.hu, nytimes.com
3 Comments
In December of last year, FM Szijjártó received the Russian Order of Friendship from his Russian counterpart Mr. Lavrov – who is a household name, by now. Do not think he returned this Award – however may have missed the news? Could be an indicator
After seeing the atrocities in Bucha, wonder what Orbán’s thoughts are. Civilians with their hands tied and shot in the back of the head. Families in shallow graves. Bodies left in the streets.
Does he think it’s fake news or does he believe it’s the Ukrainians, as Russia is so keen to point out. Or isn’t this shown on Hungarian state television.
Orbán wants to very careful on what his next moves are. We are not an independent country in that sense of the word, we are part of the EU and NATO. His loyalties are being seriously questioned. He should never have included Mr Zelensky in such a negative manner in his victory speech. Very poor taste. We’re very nearly ending up with a Lukashenko running this country. We already know Orbán is Putin’s puppet. Can’t have it both ways, either leave the EU and NATO and be independent (waiting for Russia of course) or wind your neck in and run this country properly.
The election is over, time to stop mud slinging and lying about the Opposition. Can’t keep harping on about staying neutral, wanting peace and getting cheap gas.
Shell shocked by the outcome of the National Election – the question REMAINS – the direction, by returning Fidesz to Power – the FUTURE of Hungary.
Hungary – deepening strain with the European Union – NATO – “other ” friendships of the past – being “strained and demolished” – then Great Britain and the United States of America – all looks depressing and “dark” for the Future.
Hungarys economy – in a Major Downfall.
Hungary – seen growing in being SEEN – association and relationships with – Russia & China.
Currency of Hungary – under immense downward pressure.
Inflation – keeps rising to RECORD levels.
Property Market – the “Carnage” has commenced and will see it decline into a deeper mess.
Interest Rates – continue to RISE.
Petrol Prices – when Gap ceases – spiral in price.
Nothing is GETTING Cheaper in Hungary and the way of Government its ideas & philosophy – the economic mess will impact on the lives of Hungarians at a rapid pace.
Hungarians – we VOTED in the return of POWER to Fidesz – we live by the sword – we die by the sword.
The FUTURE – sadly – citizens will heavily PAY – for there ERROR.