World-known economist: Orbán only EU leader seeing the situation in Ukraine realistically
US economist Jeffrey Sachs praised Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as “the only European leader who sees the situation in Ukraine realistically”, in an interview published in the daily Magyar Nemzet on Thursday.
Sachs, a professor of Columbia University, said Orbán “grasped” that the war in Ukraine was “pointless and unnecessary”, brought about by the enlargement of NATO. “Unlike other European leaders, Orbán also recognises that Russia will not concede defeat on the battleground without escalating the conflict into a nuclear war,” he said. To stop the war, the US should pledge not to enlarge NATO with Ukraine and Georgia, and Ukraine should declare itself a neutral state. The UN Security Council and states like Germany, Turkey and Brazil should guarantee maintaining the peace treaty, he said.
Further, NATO should “strictly curb” weapon deliveries to Ukraine, which in turn should receive a timeline to join the EU, he said. Sanctions should be withdrawn, he added.
Orbán travels to Slovenia to attend Centrist Democrat International meeting
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the leader of ruling Fidesz, travelled to Slovenia on Wednesday to attend a meeting of the executive committee of the Centrist Democrat International alliance of conservative parties in Bled, his press chief told MTI. Established in 1961, the CDI-IDC is an alliance of 80 conservative parties from around the world. Orbán is a vice president of the organisation.
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Mr. Sachs greatest fear for the past 5 years has been nuclear war. Wrote a number of interesting articles, his interviews are articulate and he reasons well. However, to say Mr. Sachs supports our Politicians point of view is bold.
Different from our Politicians (who just say “we are pro-peace!”), Mr. Sachs does offer up observations, suggestions and recommendations to achieve peace. Other than the “let’s not give Ukraine any military aid and see what happens” of our Politicians.
Personally, I’d rather have a sovereign country buffer between us and Russia. Also explains the very different stance of the states that do immediately border Russia (fear is a great motivator – fear of nuclear war, your neighbor, immigrants – take your pick).