Tens of thousands of Hungarians gathered for a “peace march” orchestrated by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is intensifying concerns of a possible conflict between the West and Russia fueled by Brussels and NATO, leading up to the EU elections next week. Orban, positioning himself as the lone warrior for peace in the EU, views the upcoming elections as a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict.
Despite being Moscow’s closest EU ally, Orban has been criticized for his refusal to provide military aid to Ukraine while blaming Brussels and NATO for escalating the war. The Hungarian leader’s recent rhetoric accusing NATO of dragging Hungary into a potential war has sparked controversy, with political analysts suggesting his anti-war stance is resonating with the public.
Orban’s supporters, waving Hungarian flags in Budapest, echoed his sentiments at the rally, with many expressing concerns about the proximity of the conflict to their borders. While facing opposition within Hungary, Orban remains confident in his stance, predicting a significant victory in the upcoming elections and a possible formation of a “transatlantic peace coalition” with the re-election of Donald Trump as U.S. president.
© 2024 AFP