PM Orbán introduced a new phrase in his regular weekly interview this Friday. He would like Hungary to become a non-participant member state. NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg reacted rigidly. He said they would not let anybody undermine the alliance’s unity.
Hungarian veto against arming Ukraine
According to politico.eu, PM Orbán talked about a special status for Hungary in NATO. He said he would like Hungary to become a non-participant country in operations outside the military alliance’s territory.
That comes after Hungary baulked the unanimous decision of using EUR 2 billion, the profit of an approximately EUR 190 billion frozen Russian asset stored in the Belgian depository Euroclear. That money would have been used to buy arms for Ukraine and help Kyiv’s struggle against the Russian invasion.
“Now a new term has been invented to describe the Hungarian position in NATO, it is called non-participation. We are not a participant now,” Orbán said. That means Hungary will not participate in actions outside the alliance’s territory.
Hungarian opposition pro-war?
Orbán and his government have been warning of an uncontrollable escalation into a world war for months. The country has been crammed with billboards for weeks shouting “War!” and depicting opposition politicians. The Hungarian government says a considerable international lobby aims at the EU and NATO to enter the war in Ukraine. And they have subsidiaries in Hungary: the opposition parties and critical NGOs.
The communication campaign seems to work: despite the presidential clemency scandal stabbing into the heart of the Fidesz world, Orbán’s party leads all the polls just two weeks before the 9 June European parliamentary elections.
Hungary undermining NATO unity?
Probably that is why Orbán baulks such decisions: he does not want to lose popular support. But Western media suggests another scenario. They believe that Orbán maintains his relationship with Russian President Putin. Therefore, preventing such a decision and “undermining the alliance’s unity” is just part of Orbán’s “courting” to Putin.
Orbán regularly says that Russia will never attack the West but suggests that the West would do otherwise. “How many more weapons will we send? How much more money will we send?” Orbán asked in an interview in Hungary’s public media. “This gives rise to the darkest visions,” he concluded.
Stoltenberg would allow Ukrainians to conduct attacks in Russia with American weapons
Meanwhile, Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general of NATO, told the Economist that they make consensual decisions. He added they would be able to baulk undermining the unity of the alliance.
Stoltenberg even slammed Washington in his latest interview with the Economist. He said they should allow Ukrainians to use the weapons they give them on Russian territory. He added that a heavy fight is ongoing in Kharkiv, which is only kilometres from the Russian border. Therefore, they should allow the Ukrainian forces to use American weapons against the Russian invasion forces standing in Russian territory.
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With Ukraine attacked and bombed for two years now and to then say that it has no right to attack targets in the invading country is preposterous. Bomb the shit out of high value Russian targets. Putin wants a free hand to do whatever he wants while waving the nuclear bogeyman as blackmail. Europe cannot allow him to get away with this. Kick Hungary out of NATO and let it be a total non-participant and invite Putin to do whatever he wants with Hungary. Is that what Hungarians would like? Would they like the Russians back in their country? What do they think the Ukrainians are going through and do Hungarians have an ounce of morality and respect for freedom that they could understand the need to assist Ukraine to preserve its’ freedom from Russian oppression?
I as a Hungarian and absolutely agree with :Larry. Orban and his lapdogs have stolen billion$ from the Hu populace from funds that were given by the EU.
This wealthy class knows that one day the counting will take place. Consequently, they slowly are trying the move Hungary out of NATO and the EU as well. The last few years they bought a few military transport planes to use when their time will come to an end. Hopefully soon!
“i want the benefits, but no obligations” smartass
So, little Victor wants to be a non participant? HELLO! Without NATO, who will help Hungary when Victor’s friend starts in here? Another 1956? You bet it will be, and Victor will be living in a Trump Tower in Moscow. We need to stop this “victim” mentality. If this happens, it is OUR fault, not the west, not the EU, not Biden, OUR fault. Let that sink in. OUR fault, just like WW2 and 1956, we just went along with it.
Concur – Larry.
“Truck” sorry spelt it wrong Hungary off – “boot” them out the EU and NATO – just appals me the population ATTITUDE of Hungary, in there MILLIONS – what they are SIGNING off on – allowing Orban – his Fidesz Government to get away with, as Hungary, disappears further into a CATACLYSMIC disaster.
Dumbness.
We Hungarians apparently love appeasement, as marketed and advocated by our Politicians:
https://ecfr.eu/publication/wars-and-elections-how-european-leaders-can-maintain-public-support-for-ukraine/
Unfirtunately, this is already OLD – very curious regarding any update!
LOL! No, Hungary won’t be expelled, for the same reason Turkey–sorry, Tǜrkiye or whatever–won’t be expelled. Don’t be ridiculous.
That said, N.A.T.O. needs to roll back the politicking it’s latterly been engaging in. If its individual members want to embark on ill-begotten escapades and misconceived adventures in Ukraine, let them. However, it has to be their own initiative from start to finish. And if Russia retaliates as a result, they’re on their own.
N.A.T.O. is a purely defensive alliance. Ukraine is not a member so N.A.T.O. has no business being or doing anything there, period.
As for those bleating on about “appeasement” and clamoring for war, I note they are doing so from their armchair in Hungary. You want to fight Russia? Ukraine is just a couple hours away. Go. Put your money where your big mouth is. I do not, nor do I want Hungary to. I don’t want the cost, misery, destruction, and death of a war.
Steiner Michael, but you do want FULL growing POWERS under a Dictatorship in Hungary, as we know of your Membership and support of the Orban – Fidesz Government – there direction of Ruination, he – they have SENT Hungary, that being FACTUALLY, to a state of Destruction.
Steiner Michael, you have been reminded on numerous occasions – asked on numerous occasions, your BIG Mouth, your idiotic comments of support to the Orban – Fidesz Government path of destruction they have DELIVERED upon Hungary, your belief that Hungary, can stand alone – self support it-self without the European Union Membership and N.A.T.O – from the distillation of DEMOCRACY, to Governance under Laws of Communism, the question still REMAINS un-answered from YOU – the “stand alone” of Hungary, what is going to ENABLE this ?
Steiner Michael again you are REMINDERED – that to THINK that China & Russia are going to BUILD this country – to INVEST into the WHOLE entire run down needing billions of Investment into Infrastructure in Hungary, to bring it up and into the 21st century, to think this as it appears you DO, is idiotic.
Investment, Education, Public Health, Hospitals, Public Transport – just few of NEEDS of Hungary, that through the APPALING negligence of the Orban – Fidesz Government, over 14 years in Government, that have “squandered” miss-used tax payers money, used and applied – abused European Union Funding – through in-appropriate means and purposes, that has been judged as – acts of FRAUD, that have just DISMALLY failed in Core Citizens / population – of day to day living standards and quality in Hungary, through lack of INVESTMENT.
WHAT are the POSITIVES for Hungary, under Victor Orban and his Fidesz Government over 14 years in POWER ?
Do you THINK after 14 years that Hungarians are RICHER – not monetary richer, but better off, there lives, there quality of life, all there day to day needs of life – do you think, this ageing, this falling number in population that continues in Hungary, do YOU think, as a country, that Victor Mihaly Orban – has delivered us to the PROMISED land ???
Orban, in his “aggressive” shift, the distillation of DEMOCRACY in Hungary, through rapid GROWTH in relationships and partnerships entered into with China and Russia, that is “leading” Hungary to again being under Communistic Law’s – it must not be FORGOTTEN what in MAJOR part is Communism.
Communism produces nether dignity nor prosperity.
It takes ALL power away from the People and places it in the hands of a self-appointed elite.
And, because it DISTORTS and Manipulates the distinctive talents of individuals rather than letting those talents FLOURISH, it prevents progress and prosperity.
Orban is a Dictator, and as such the SURRENDER decision to POWERS greater than him, or FORCES “heaved” at him – RIGHTFULLY, is not in there DNA.
Orban for any HOPE of a future for Hungary – has to be TRULY defeated, with all that can be said and written applied to the word – DEFEAT.
Steiner Michael again YOU are asked, your BIG Mouth through your commentary’s – it’s ASKED again of YOU – the SURVIVAL – the Future of Hungary – how is this to be ???
I left Hungary after 7 years of living and working there. So many friends left behind.
Many of them despise Fidesz and their corruption, their promotion of ignorance and the “victim” mentality they bathe in(sounds a lot like Trump’s tactics). Although it pains me to see these friends left behind, I do believe NATO should suspend Hungary’s membership and cut off all vital communication regarding the security of the region. Hungary is a Trojan horse, as many others have stated, and a threat to the security of Europe.
@michaelsteiner – hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Hope is not a strategy.
Your “preparing for war” is actually making sure we have a credible, workable defense against a potential adversary which has changed its industry and economy to war footing.
The most reprehensible, delinquent and plain wrong thing would be to ask insufficiently equipped, poorly supported and under-trained troops to defend NATO countries – regardless of where a first attack may take place. Hungary due to its size and location is a nightmare for (Russian) military supply chain – hence Poland, the Baltic countries and Finland have constant run ins with our Politicians on this topic…
It is amazing that commentators seem to be all war mongers. Mr. Steiner is correct. Why would any pro nationalist government want their young murdered in a foreign war? Was Hungary guilty starting the war or escalating the war in Ukraine, the answer is no. In this case why should Hungarians pay any price.
History has many examples of wars between two countries and these small wars did not always result in a world war. It seems politicians of previous times were smarter and cared more for protection of the citizens.
Zelensky had a change to diplomatically discuss Ukraine’s entry to NATO and EU. Zelensky did not avail Ukraine of this opportunity. Did Zelensky decided this alone or did he have the backing of US, France, Brussels, definitely Germany and the UK, probably. All sorts of promises were probably made to Zelensky. The goal, ruing Russia and the Russian economy hoping for a regime change. This is done for the benefit of globalist, who want more riches and greater control.
Although communism even pseudo communism practiced in Russia is not an ideal form of government, every nation has the right to determine their own fate and future and foreign influence in regime change is unacceptable and causes more problems than benefits.
NATO was set up to defend member states. To keep NATO ready, countries were supposed to pay 2% of GDP. Most large EU countries reneged on this agreement, these nations include France, Germany, Italy, Belgium etc. Hungary’s membership dues are up to date. Now, these same NATO members want weapons paid for by mostly smaller nations to be donated to Ukraine, a non-member state.
The American people are complaining that due to the non-payment of NATO membership dues, the US has been carrying the burden and the EU is depending on the US to rescue EU countries like during WWI and WWII.
No country that has not spent the required amount on defense should have a say on NATO’s actions or NATO’s distribution of weapons until such time that their membership is up to date.
No more Trojan horse, you are one of the Hungarians that only appreciates money, not culture and standard of living. There is greater poverty in the US than in Hungary. P.M. Orban is a pro national leader. His government provides people with more freedom than most western countries and even the US. According to the latest statistics, the majority of Hungarians support FIDESZ policies and if an election was held today, this majority government would be re-elected. Most Hungarians like their country and even like their compatriots. Since you are certainly not a patriot, the country is better off without you.