EU Country Advocates for Direct Peace Negotiations with Russia – FT
Hungarian PM Orban has reportedly referenced a recent UN resolution in a letter to the EU Council, indicating that it signifies a “new phase” in the Ukraine conflict. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
In a letter to the EU Council, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban reportedly referred to a recent UN resolution as marking a “new phase” in the Ukraine conflict.
According to the Financial Times, Orban has called on the EU to engage in immediate direct dialogue with Russia to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine. This request was highlighted in a letter allegedly sent to Brussels by the Hungarian leader.
Budapest has consistently criticized the EU’s provision of weapons to Kiev since the conflict escalated in February 2022 and has also advocated for lifting the sanctions imposed on Russia.
In its Saturday article, the FT mentioned that Orban urged the bloc to commence “direct discussions with Russia on a ceasefire.” The Hungarian prime minister also noted that “it has become evident that there are strategic differences in our approach to Ukraine that cannot be bridged by drafting or communication,” which the British newspaper interpreted as an indication that Hungary might obstruct any agreements within the bloc unless its demands are addressed.
Orban reportedly referenced a US-drafted resolution adopted by the UN Security Council on Monday, which Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, called a “starting point for future efforts towards peaceful settlement.” This resolution advocates for a “swift end” to the Ukraine conflict without directly condemning Russia. The 15-member council approved the resolution with a 10-0 vote, while France, the UK, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia abstained.
In his letter to EU Council President Antonio Costa, Orban expressed that the document “signals a new phase in the history of the [Ukraine] conflict and renders all previous agreed language by the European Council irrelevant,” as reported by the FT.
This communication from the Hungarian prime minister came just before an upcoming EU summit, which is anticipated to focus on additional military assistance for Ukraine, according to the FT.
In a Friday interview with Hungary’s Kossuth Radio, Orban cast doubt on Ukraine’s EU aspirations, stating that while Budapest does not oppose accession in principle, “here and now, this is unthinkable.” He explained that Ukraine’s current admission would harm Hungarian farmers and ultimately jeopardize the Hungarian national economy.
“I also don’t see clearly how we will curb the crime that would inevitably flood into Hungary along with it,” he added.
During his annual state of the nation address in Budapest last week, Orban predicted that Ukraine would not be granted NATO membership; instead, it would revert to being a buffer zone between the military alliance and Russia once the conflict with Moscow concludes. He remarked that the “European and American liberals” had severely miscalculated in believing that Russia would not react to their initiatives to integrate Kiev into NATO.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
According to the Financial Times, Orban has called on the EU to engage in immediate direct dialogue with Russia to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine. This request was highlighted in a letter allegedly sent to Brussels by the Hungarian leader.
Budapest has consistently criticized the EU’s provision of weapons to Kiev since the conflict escalated in February 2022 and has also advocated for lifting the sanctions imposed on Russia.
In its Saturday article, the FT mentioned that Orban urged the bloc to commence “direct discussions with Russia on a ceasefire.” The Hungarian prime minister also noted that “it has become evident that there are strategic differences in our approach to Ukraine that cannot be bridged by drafting or communication,” which the British newspaper interpreted as an indication that Hungary might obstruct any agreements within the bloc unless its demands are addressed.
Orban reportedly referenced a US-drafted resolution adopted by the UN Security Council on Monday, which Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, called a “starting point for future efforts towards peaceful settlement.” This resolution advocates for a “swift end” to the Ukraine conflict without directly condemning Russia. The 15-member council approved the resolution with a 10-0 vote, while France, the UK, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia abstained.
In his letter to EU Council President Antonio Costa, Orban expressed that the document “signals a new phase in the history of the [Ukraine] conflict and renders all previous agreed language by the European Council irrelevant,” as reported by the FT.
This communication from the Hungarian prime minister came just before an upcoming EU summit, which is anticipated to focus on additional military assistance for Ukraine, according to the FT.
In a Friday interview with Hungary’s Kossuth Radio, Orban cast doubt on Ukraine’s EU aspirations, stating that while Budapest does not oppose accession in principle, “here and now, this is unthinkable.” He explained that Ukraine’s current admission would harm Hungarian farmers and ultimately jeopardize the Hungarian national economy.
“I also don’t see clearly how we will curb the crime that would inevitably flood into Hungary along with it,” he added.
During his annual state of the nation address in Budapest last week, Orban predicted that Ukraine would not be granted NATO membership; instead, it would revert to being a buffer zone between the military alliance and Russia once the conflict with Moscow concludes. He remarked that the “European and American liberals” had severely miscalculated in believing that Russia would not react to their initiatives to integrate Kiev into NATO.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
