Orban urges EU to rethink Russia policy, cites Trump's influence
In a Friday interview, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban emphasized the need to renew the EU's relationship with Russia. He called on the European Union to stop intensifying sanctions and suggested that a new U.S. president, Donald Trump, would influence this trend.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated on Friday that the European Union should focus on rebuilding relations with Russia, thereby moving away from the policy of intensifying sanctions. He argued that Brussels needs to adapt to the new era, in which more constructive ties with Moscow can be established.
Orban calls on the EU to change its policy towards Russia
"A new era is beginning in Brussels, and we need to adapt to it. We will have to build relationships with the Russians without sanctions," Orban said bluntly. He did not hold back in his stark criticism of the current EU policy. Orban emphasized that "Brussels needs a wake-up call, but the EU leadership is still in the drinking phase, and then comes the hangover."
He proudly mentioned that he and his government successfully chaired the EU Council in 2024, which was appreciated even by political opponents. He added that even before the Hungarian presidency – except for the Vatican – only Budapest in Europe was talking about the need for peace in Ukraine.
"Hungarian or Polish farmers may have to shut down"
In Orban's opinion, his government's economic plans "will only have an effect if the war does not escalate and if the policy of sanctions is extinguished." He warned that the EU's policy toward Ukraine seriously threatens the European economy. If the situation continues to develop as it has, Hungarian or Polish farmers may also have to shut down their operations, added Viktor Orban.
– Without Western money, there is no Ukraine. Ukrainian agriculture collides with European, and Ukraine's economy does not fit into the European system – emphasized the head of the Hungarian government.
The Hungarian Prime Minister declared that the upcoming presidency of Donald Trump in the U.S. might help in efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Orban expressed the opinion that the West often perceives peace efforts in Ukraine as an attempt to betray the interests of the Union, but this perspective needs to change.
