– We will maintain our membership (in the alliance), but we do not want to participate in military operations outside NATO territory and we must have this opportunity, Orban said. The politician added: “Legally, we have that now, but we expect it to be considered politically acceptable.”
The Hungarian Prime Minister also expressed his objection to the coordination role played by NATO in transferring weapons to Ukraine and training Ukrainian soldiers. Orban criticizes Western military aid to Kiev, which is consistent with Budapest’s old position.
Orban also confirmed his support for Romanian President Klaus Iohannis as a candidate for the position of the next Secretary-General of NATO. Most coalition members have already expressed their support for Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. But Orban currently rules out this possibility.
Hungary does not want to take action against Russia. “We will not participate”
Orban said that no Western politician in Hungary has a worse reputation than Rutte, recalling the Dutchman’s claims that Hungary “should be on its knees” and excluded from the European Union.
The Hungarian Prime Minister also noted that Rutte should have the trust of Budapest, just as was the case with Sweden, which was trying to join the alliance. The Hungarian Parliament blocked the resolution on this matter for several months.
Orban confirms that Hungary wants to increase cooperation with Russia in areas not covered by sanctions. The politician added: – We do not do this secretly, like some Western European countries – noting that Italy and Spain bought more Russian gas than Hungary in the last quarter.
The government in Budapest is regularly criticized by Western allies over its close contacts with Russia. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó met several times with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other Russian politicians. In October, Orban also met with Vladimir Putin in Beijing.
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