Orban says Ukraine should be 'buffer zone' while Europe profits from war

Orbán claimed that Europe is taking a belligerent stance because it believes in the possibility of a Ukrainian military victory. According to him, the war benefits Western countries, and the Brussels elite expects to profit from a Russian defeat.

“Europeans want war. We want peace, a ceasefire, and security. Behind their desire for war is money,” Orbán said.

He also accused European and American leaders of allegedly being willing to pay for this with Ukrainian blood.

Criticism of Western support for Ukraine

Orbán criticized the evolution of Western aid to Kyiv - from financial assistance to weapons deliveries - and added that there are now statements hinting at the possible deployment of troops, referring to remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron.

“First they gave money, then weapons, and now there are French and other statements about the potential deployment of soldiers,” he said.

Kremlin narratives on threats to Russia

A significant portion of Orbán’s speech was devoted to justifying Russia’s actions, echoing the narrative that NATO expansion and Ukraine’s aspirations to integrate into the EU and the Alliance allegedly violate historical agreements and pose a threat to Moscow.

Orbán claimed that Ukraine’s statehood after the collapse of the Soviet Union supposedly conflicted with Russia’s interests because it brought modern NATO weapons closer to Russia’s borders.

“Ukraine has international rights, but Russians also have the right to their own security and do not want to be neighbors with NATO members,” the Hungarian prime minister said.

Hungary’s 'third position'

Orbán emphasized that Budapest is choosing a third way, aimed at creating a new European security balance. According to him, this approach is intended to eliminate the military threat to Hungary and generate economic benefits.

He also repeated the claim that time supposedly favors Russia and that prolonging negotiations will lead to greater losses for Ukraine.

Buffer state as the only solution

In conclusion, Orbán referred to the 28-point American peace plan and stated that, in his view, the only realistic path is for Ukraine to return to the status of a buffer state.

Orbán has reportedly traveled to Moscow and met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. He said Hungary is ready to provide a venue for negotiations on Ukraine.

Putin, in turn, did not rule out that talks between Russia and the US could lead to a peace summit being held in Budapest, Hungary.