EU should rethink 'hare-brained' Russia sanctions, says Orban
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has stated that sanctions imposed on Russia are keeping energy prices elevated and affecting the economic competitiveness of the EU. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has urged the European Union to reconsider the sanctions imposed on Russia due to the Ukraine conflict and to prioritize ending hostilities swiftly.
In a broadcast on Kossuth Radio on Friday, Orban suggested that the bloc's current economic troubles can be traced back to Brussels’ “hare-brained” choice to respond to the Ukraine situation with sanctions on Moscow. He asserted that these restrictions have led to increased energy prices and overall inflation, undermining the EU's competitiveness.
After the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the EU identified the elimination of its dependency on Russian energy as a crucial goal. Sanctions and the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines subsequently resulted in a significant reduction of Russian gas supplies to the bloc, causing energy prices to soar and inflation to rise dramatically.
“Sanctions were a wrong, hare-brained answer to the [Ukraine conflict], the EU made a mistake… Energy prices must definitely be brought down. This means that the sanctions must be reconsidered, because the policy of sanctions… it will destroy the European economy,” Orban emphasized. He called for an “anti-bureaucratic rebellion” within the EU, advocating for policy decisions that prioritize the welfare of the people, particularly regarding sanctions and peace efforts.
Orban further remarked that the ongoing war hampers European businesses and industries from pursuing development and growth. He stressed the importance of doing everything possible to terminate the conflict in Ukraine. “If we look at this conflict from the point of view of our pockets, our economy, our income, it is a scourge of God on us all… In order to be successful again, we have to end it, end it as soon as possible,” he declared.
In terms of Hungary's approach, Orban reiterated the country's commitment to diplomatic initiatives aimed at achieving peace in Ukraine. He indicated that a “protagonist” is needed—someone capable of not only desiring peace but also facilitating its establishment. He expressed hope that a potential shift in U.S. power with Donald Trump’s election could aid in this pursuit, citing Trump’s past claims of being able to resolve the Ukraine conflict in 24 hours. Until Trump assumes office in January, Budapest aims to advocate for “change in Brussels” to prevent “EU bureaucrats” from continuing the war in the absence of American involvement.
Orban has a history of conflict with Brussels regarding its stance on Ukraine, consistently opposing both military assistance to Kiev and sanctions against Moscow. Tensions escalated after his earlier meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of his Ukraine peace initiative.
Some EU leaders have accused Orban of siding with Russia and misusing Hungary’s rotating presidency. However, the Prime Minister clarified that his focus remains on advocating for Hungary’s interests while also striving to alter the EU’s collective stance regarding the conflict.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
In a broadcast on Kossuth Radio on Friday, Orban suggested that the bloc's current economic troubles can be traced back to Brussels’ “hare-brained” choice to respond to the Ukraine situation with sanctions on Moscow. He asserted that these restrictions have led to increased energy prices and overall inflation, undermining the EU's competitiveness.
After the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the EU identified the elimination of its dependency on Russian energy as a crucial goal. Sanctions and the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines subsequently resulted in a significant reduction of Russian gas supplies to the bloc, causing energy prices to soar and inflation to rise dramatically.
“Sanctions were a wrong, hare-brained answer to the [Ukraine conflict], the EU made a mistake… Energy prices must definitely be brought down. This means that the sanctions must be reconsidered, because the policy of sanctions… it will destroy the European economy,” Orban emphasized. He called for an “anti-bureaucratic rebellion” within the EU, advocating for policy decisions that prioritize the welfare of the people, particularly regarding sanctions and peace efforts.
Orban further remarked that the ongoing war hampers European businesses and industries from pursuing development and growth. He stressed the importance of doing everything possible to terminate the conflict in Ukraine. “If we look at this conflict from the point of view of our pockets, our economy, our income, it is a scourge of God on us all… In order to be successful again, we have to end it, end it as soon as possible,” he declared.
In terms of Hungary's approach, Orban reiterated the country's commitment to diplomatic initiatives aimed at achieving peace in Ukraine. He indicated that a “protagonist” is needed—someone capable of not only desiring peace but also facilitating its establishment. He expressed hope that a potential shift in U.S. power with Donald Trump’s election could aid in this pursuit, citing Trump’s past claims of being able to resolve the Ukraine conflict in 24 hours. Until Trump assumes office in January, Budapest aims to advocate for “change in Brussels” to prevent “EU bureaucrats” from continuing the war in the absence of American involvement.
Orban has a history of conflict with Brussels regarding its stance on Ukraine, consistently opposing both military assistance to Kiev and sanctions against Moscow. Tensions escalated after his earlier meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of his Ukraine peace initiative.
Some EU leaders have accused Orban of siding with Russia and misusing Hungary’s rotating presidency. However, the Prime Minister clarified that his focus remains on advocating for Hungary’s interests while also striving to alter the EU’s collective stance regarding the conflict.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
