US Ambassador: Orbán still pushes Putin-backed policies
Hungary’s ambassador to the US, David Pressman, says that political leaders in the Hungarian government often talk about promoting peace. However, they continue to push for a policy backed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán compared Ukraine to Afghanistan and called it a “no man’s land” when he hosted a closed-door meeting of foreign journalists at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC). More on this HERE and HERE.
Hungary’s rhetoric is in contrast with that of the EU
This message is in almost stark contrast to the rhetoric of other members of the Western alliance, who last week pledged to donate dozens of modern tanks to Ukraine, Politico reports. Orbán’s statements have sparked outrage among Ukrainian officials, with foreign affairs spokesman Oleg Nikolenko saying Hungary is deliberately damaging Hungarian-Ukrainian relations. The Hungarian ambassador to Ukraine has also been asked to comment on the matter.
According to the paper, the Hungarian PM’s approach is seen partly as a domestic political ploy to divert attention from Hungary’s economic problems. But experts say Orbán’s rhetoric is about more than short-term political gamesmanship: the Hungarian prime minister is seeking to preserve his long-standing relationship with the Kremlin, Index writes.
Pressman: the Hungarian government still pushes harmful policies
“Political leaders in the government of Hungary often speak of promoting peace, but — from condemning sanctions to embracing Russian ‘cease-fire’ proposals — they continue to push policies endorsed by Putin,” Politico quoted David Pressman, the U.S. ambassador in Budapest, as saying.
The paper adds that while the Western allies have sought to provide Ukraine with more military support than ever before, Hungary reiterates its position that Kyiv should stop fighting.
Source: Politico, Index