Ukraine must be a buffer zone. “This is the only permanent solution”

The only lasting solution to the situation caused by the war in Ukraine is to transform the country again into a buffer zone between Russia and NATO, said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in an interview for the German newspaper “Welt am Sonntag”.

The Hungarian Prime Minister assessed in an interview with the German press that after NATO's expansion to the east, Ukraine served as a neutral buffer zone between NATO and Russia. He said this ensured Europe's security and balance from a defense point of view. “However, today both sides accuse each other of disturbing this situation,” he added.

Orbán concluded that the only lasting solution would be to make Ukraine a buffer state again within the limits agreed at a future peace conference while creating a post-war system. At the same time, he stressed, NATO and Russia must agree on the numbers and equipment of Ukraine's armed forces and guarantee that they will not attempt to take control of the buffer zone.

At the same time, the Prime Minister supported the 28-point US peace plan, which, in his opinion, “soberly reflects reality”. “This plan would also allow Russia to return to the international economy, lift sanctions against Moscow and increase business opportunities,” Orban added.

The Hungarian leader emphasized that high-level European-Russian negotiations must start as soon as possible. “In addition, an arms control agreement must be concluded with Moscow and, in the long term, Europe's military potential must be strengthenedso that it can defend itself against any opponent in a conventional war,” said the Prime Minister.

Jakub Bawołek from Budapest (PAP)

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