PM Orbán warns: we’re slipping into this war

A ceasefire and peace talks are needed to resolve the war in Ukraine, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told public radio on Friday. “Sanctions policies are another step towards war,” Orbán said in the interview. “Anyone who intervenes in a conflict [using sanctions] also takes a position which is a step towards one of the warring parties; in other words in the direction of war,” he said.

If Europe “sees itself as part of the war”, it will be drawn into it, and the dangers to Hungary will grow, he said. “It’s clear that little by little we’re slipping into this war; we’re not being shot at yet, but we are very close to becoming party to the war … What Europe is doing is very dangerous,” he said. Hungary talks the language of peace but “no one else is following that line,” he said.

Orbán: Hungary aims to bypass Europe’s recession

The government aims to bypass the trend towards recession in Europe, he said. Also, over the next year, the aim is to maintain full employment and a growth rate above the European Union average, as well as “our national strategic goals: unification of the nation and support for families”, Orbán said.

In order to preserve the country’s achievements, the government has launched schemes to rescue factories and support small and medium-sized firms. It has also placed a cap on certain prices and interest paid on retail loans, while helping restaurants and accommodation providers, he noted. The government is canvassing public opinion on how to make the situation bearable for businesses and ordinary people, and feedback is constant, the prime minister said.

Hungary not to support policy of sanctions in future either

Hungary has never supported the policy of sanctions and will not support it in the future either, Orbán said. Hungary cannot afford to exercise its right to veto at every stage, he said. Sometimes “we have to let some things go”, Orbán said. “[But] we should keep fighting for exemptions that are in line with Hungary’s interests.” It follows that “Hungary has so far evaded the most devastating consequences of the sanctions”, the prime minister said, vowing to continue pursuing this policy.

Source: MTI