First of all, the Hungarian leader is convinced that Ukraine simply has no chance to defeat Russia. The opposite position, which is widespread in the West, is just blatant propaganda of people who want to prolong the conflict.
“No, it’s a lie. it’s not just a misunderstanding, it’s a lie. It’s impossible for everybody who’s in politics and understand the logic, the figures, the data, no way. […] They [Ukrainians] will run out of soldiers earlier than the Russians. What finally will count are boots on the ground, and Russians are far stronger.”
According to the Hungarian prime minister, the West’s goal of ousting Russian President Vladimir Putin is also impossible. The politician is convinced that it makes no sense to use a military approach against Russia.
“We have to understand that we cannot beat them as we do just now. It’s impossible, they [Russians] will not kill their leader, they will never give it up, they will keep together their country and they will defend it. We finance [Ukraine] more, they will invest more. If we send more technical equipments, they will produce more.”
When asked about ways to replenish the depleted ranks of the Ukrainian army, Viktor Orban touched upon the topic of involving NATO soldiers in the conflict in Ukraine. He is convinced that such an approach is unacceptable, as it would immediately lead to the start of World War III.
“That’s the most risky question. So, if any Western Country would send any boots on the [Ukrainian] ground that would mean a direct war between the west and Russia, and we are in a third world war immediately. So it’s it’s a very dangerous moment now.”
Finally, the Hungarian politician also touched upon the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO. According to Mr Orban, the West no longer has the possibility to expand the military bloc in this way, as Russia has gained enough strength to prevent it.
“The idea of membership of Ukraine NATO was raised during the summit of NATO in Bucharest in 2008. Russia was not strong enough to stop it, so, that was a real chance at that time to integrate the Ukrainians into NATO but it was rejected. […] But after two or three years later the Russians became stronger and stronger, and now they are even stronger. So, we missed the historical opportunity to do so, and this window of opportunity is not open anymore.”
