Viktor Orban said during the Qatar Economic Forum held in Doha, “It is clear that the military solution does not work,” stressing that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was the result of “the failure of diplomacy.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Tuesday that Ukraine cannot win militarily in the war with Russia, saying that Washington should intervene to put an end to the conflict.
The nationalist leader, who disagrees with European Union member states over this war and refuses to provide military aid to his neighbor Kiev, has renewed his call for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Our hearts are with the Ukrainians.
He said during the Qatar Economic Forum held in Doha, “It is clear that the military solution does not work,” stressing that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was the result of “the failure of diplomacy.”
He stressed that “given the reality, the numbers, the context and the fact that NATO is not ready to send its forces, it is clear that there is no victory for the poor Ukrainians on the battlefield. This is my position.”
“Our hearts are with the Ukrainians…we understand the extent of their suffering,” he said, adding, “The escalation must stop, and we must push for peace and negotiations.”
Orban, who has close ties to the Kremlin, is the only European leader who has not visited Kiev.
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday that Hungary refuses to disburse a new military aid package to Ukraine. However, he confirmed that he was “confident” that it would be approved.
Orban believes that a new European security agreement with Russia should be negotiated with Moscow after declaring a cease-fire. “Ukraine, as a country, is of course very important, but at a longer range, and from a strategic point of view, the future security of Europe is at stake,” he said.
He continued, “It is clear that without the United States, there is no security architecture for Europe. It will not be possible to stop this war … unless the Russians reach an agreement” with Washington.
“As a European, I am not happy about that, but this is the only way out,” he declared.
He expressed his dissatisfaction with the way the European Union leaders act, but said that his country could not leave the bloc because 85% of its exports go to member states.
Orban indicated that his country, which relies on Moscow to secure half of its energy needs, had negotiated an agreement to import natural gas from Qatar, expressing hope that deliveries would begin in 2026.
