Peace will not come by itself, it requires effort, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declared regarding the Ukrainian war on public Kossuth radio on Friday.
Orbán emphasized that Hungary, as the rotating president of the European Union, does not have the mandate to negotiate on behalf of the EU. However, the head of government can assess the situation to understand each party’s position. The decision will then be made by the leaders of the 27 EU member states, after which authorized individuals will negotiate.
The Prime Minister highlighted that Europe should prioritize peace, humanity, and humane foreign policy. He mentioned his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, asserting that while major peace talks will be handled by large countries, dialogue is currently lacking, making it challenging to move towards peace. In addition, Europe’s involvement in the war on Ukraine’s side has led to manipulated surveys and reports, the PM added.
Orbán noted that in their meeting he asked Zelenskyy several questions to understand his intentions and boundaries.
Without understanding these limits, moving closer to peace is impossible, he explained.
Hungary can be a useful tool in the process, he remarked, but added that President Zelenskyy is concerned about a ceasefire, fearing the other side might exploit it.
Viktor Orbán explained that his visits to Berlin, Rome, Paris, and Kyiv aimed at preparing for Hungary’s EU presidency and understanding public sentiment. Many Europeans feel that more efforts should be made for peace, rather than relying heavily on the United States in this regard. Additionally, there is concern over the war’s economic impact on Europe, causing a livelihood crisis and inflation.
In terms of the European Parliament, Orbán noted the significance of the recent French election, highlighting Marine Le Pen’s party’s potential impact on European politics. When asked about the new political group, Patriots for Europe, the PM said
the inaugural session will be held on Monday, with the leaders of all those parties that have already signalled their intention to join but have not yet announced it,
so there will be a list made public then. He also reminded that Le Pen has said that the decision about the future of the RN in the European Parliament will be made after the second round of the parliamentary elections in France.
Orbán criticized the proposed EU tariffs on major Chinese car manufacturers, warning that such decisions could lead to a trade war. Hungary’s interest lies in avoiding trade wars to maintain global sales of its products, he nailed down.
He also addressed the need for better management and humane treatment in air travel, the importance of tourism for the economy, and the necessity of wage agreements to combat inflation. Housing programmes and employment data indicate positive signs, but the overall situation will become clearer in autumn with the outcomes of the US presidential election and the war, the Hungarian prime minister stressed.
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