Hungary’s Bid to ‘Redefine’ NATO Status Signals Refusal to March Lockstep Into War With Russia
Sputnik International
Hungary’s prime minister has announced Budapest’s intention to redefine its NATO membership to avoid getting involved in the Ukrainian crisis, emphasizing the alliance’s suicidal direction. Viktor Orban aims to maintain Hungary’s NATO membership without being part of actions outside NATO territory, highlighting the unlikely Russian threat to alliance members post-Ukraine conflict. Orban has criticized NATO’s war planning and emphasized Hungary’s commitment to collective defense while refusing to support Ukraine financially or with arms.
“There have not been many situations in the history of NATO when a member state would stick to the basic idea of NATO as openly and clearly as Hungary does now, and therefore…its position within the military alliance would have to be redefined,” Orban said.
Orban’s stance against war in Ukraine dates back to 1999, rejecting pressures for Hungary’s involvement in the NATO assault on Yugoslavia. His pragmatism reflects self-interest and realism, urging allies not to confront Russia. Supported by some alliance members like Germany, Orban’s position highlights the futility of provoking Russia, especially considering its battle-tested forces. Hungary’s resistance to war aligns with its history of advocating for peace negotiations and rejecting weapon transfers to Ukraine.
“It looks like Orban has thought it over and he doesn’t think a war is a good idea… Hungary requires resources and Moscow, Russia has provided those resources and there should be that level of cooperation among all the nations,” said Michael Maloof.