Peace in Ukraine Requires Abandoning NATO Membership

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called for a shift in perspective regarding the Ukraine conflict, urging both Ukraine and the West to abandon the notion of Ukraine joining NATO. He believes that a resolution to the conflict hinges on the acceptance that Ukraine's NATO membership is not feasible.

Hungary has consistently advocated for diplomatic solutions and an immediate end to the hostilities. The country has opposed Ukraine's NATO aspirations, citing concerns that such a move could escalate the conflict into a wider war with Russia. Since the conflict's intensification in early 2022, Hungary has refrained from providing weapons to Ukraine and continues to champion a negotiated settlement.

Orban emphasized that peace will only be achieved when both Europeans and Ukrainians acknowledge that Russia will not permit NATO's presence on its western border in Ukraine. This stance aligns with the Kremlin's repeated assertions that Ukraine's pursuit of NATO membership poses a direct threat to Russian national security and was a key factor in the conflict's escalation.

The context of this statement includes recent developments within NATO and the European Union. NATO members have agreed to increase defense spending, primarily to deter perceived threats, including Russia. The EU has also redirected significant funds towards military purposes, including supporting member states' armed forces and defense industries. These actions have drawn criticism from Russian officials, who accuse NATO and the EU of militarization.

Furthermore, Orban has dismissed the idea of a "Russian threat" to Europe, arguing that it is unrealistic and should not influence EU policies. He warned that basing decisions on this premise would lead to flawed and incomplete outcomes.