Budapest says it wants to see Ukraine as a “buffer zone” between Russia and the EU
20 March 21:27
Hungary believes that Ukraine should become a “buffer zone” between Russia and Europe.
Hungarian Minister for European Union Affairs János Boca said this in an interview with the Financial Times, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
According to him, Donald Trump’s return to the White House means that the EU should no longer support Kyiv with weapons or money.
“We do not see the security of Europe in the integration of Ukraine into defense systems, but we do see the need to create a buffer zone between Russia and European defense structures, which is in the interests of both Russia and Europe,” Boca said.
At the same time, he is convinced that Ukraine can become a “buffer zone” only if there is a consensus among “global players” on “what can and cannot be done” on Ukrainian territory. Boca was referring primarily to the United States and Russia.
“Otherwise, it will be a conflict zone, not a buffer zone,” the minister added.
In addition, the Hungarian official said:
“If the US or the EU do something in Ukraine without Putin’s approval, it is a source of conflict in itself.”
The minister also noted that Hungary’s “warnings” about sanctions against Russia have “intensified” because, in his opinion, they allegedly threaten the peaceful settlement of the war.
Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban emphasized that Ukraine’s accession to the European Union depends on the Hungarians and that Kyiv will not join the EU against Budapest’s will.
