Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban once again described the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Thursday as a “military operation”, repeating the formula used by Moscow. At the beginning of the month, he used his veto power within the EU to block European aid of 50 billion euros in favor of kyiv.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday once again described the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a “military operation”, repeating the formula used by the Kremlin. “This is a military operation as long as there has not been a declaration of war between the two countries,” the nationalist leader declared during his annual press conference.
“When the Russians declare war on Ukraine, then it will be war,” he added. “Strictly speaking, let’s rejoice as long as there is no war. If there is a war, there is a general mobilization and I don’t wish that on anyone.” Viktor Orban was asked why he called the war a “military operation” during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing in October.
A right of veto to block European aid
Viktor Orban is the only European leader to have maintained close ties with the Kremlin following the Russian offensive in Ukraine. The latter met Vladimir Putin in Beijing on October 17 to discuss energy cooperation. Earlier this month, the Hungarian Prime Minister used his veto power within the EU to block 50 billion euros of European aid for kyiv.
He abstained from voting on the decision to open negotiations on Ukraine’s EU membership, saying he was opposed to it but that other EU leaders had convinced him not to block this decision.