NewsOrban condemns Western support for Ukraine, calls for peace talks

Orban condemns Western support for Ukraine, calls for peace talks

Viktor Orban
Viktor Orban
Images source: © PAP | Szilard Koszticsak
Adam Zygiel

1 June 2024 14:51

Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban appeared at a "pro-peace" march in Budapest. He attacked Europe for allegedly trying to drag the continent into a war with Russia. "Forsaking peace means death for Ukraine. We don't want to shed blood; we will not die for others on foreign soil," said the leader of Fidesz.

The Peace March passed through Budapest; a "pro-peace" demonstration that was, in reality, a mobilization rally for Fidesz voters ahead of the upcoming European Parliament and local elections. Both elections will be held on the same day, June 9.

At the demonstration, Prime Minister Viktor Orban appeared and spoke to those gathered on Margaret Island. He asked for a "blessing" for Hungarians living in Ukraine's Transcarpathia. "The day is near when your fate will change for the better," said Orban, without specifying exactly what he meant. The head of the Hungarian government also greeted Robert Fico, the shot Prime Minister of Slovakia.

Orban, following the propaganda conducted by Fidesz since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, began to scare that politicians in the West want war with Russia. "Europe is preparing for war today. In the pro-war train, there are no brakes, and the driver has gone mad," he said.

We will not go to war. We are not heading east for the third time; we are not going to the Russian front again. We have already been there, and we have nothing to look for there," said Orban.

He also attacked George Soros, the Hungarian billionaire whom Fidesz accuses of every bad thing that happens in Hungary. He stated that, according to his plan, "Russia can be defeated with Western technology and Eastern European labor, and those lost there can be replaced with immigrants."

Orban: We will not die for others

"Many people believe that evil does not exist, even though evil is behind world wars. Either we win, or they win. There is no third way; there is only World War III," he said.

"The fundamental question is already knocking on our doors: will we give up peace? Forsaking peace means death for Ukraine. We don't want to shed blood; we will not die for others on foreign soil. This is the truth of Hungarians, and now our task is to make the truth of Hungarians the truth of Europeans," Orban said. He called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and negotiations.

The Hungarian Prime Minister stated that a great "peace coalition" could be formed if, among other things, Fidesz triumphs in the European Parliament elections and Donald Trump becomes President of the United States.

Ukrainians outraged. "We didn't start the war"

Orban's words did not sit well with Ukrainians. Advisor to the head of Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs, Anton Gerashchenko, reminded who maintains the peaceful situation in Europe.

"Ukraine did not start the war. Ukraine was forced to defend, and our only goal is peace," he wrote.

"What Russia calls 'peace negotiations' is, in fact, the destruction of Ukraine. And the opening of doors to Europe for Russian soldiers," he emphasized.

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