BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) 鈥 Hungary will seek to opt out of any NATO operations aimed at supporting Ukraine, Prime Minister Viktor Orb谩n said Friday, suggesting that the military alliance and the European Union were moving toward a more direct conflict with Russia.
Orb谩n told state radio that Hungary opposes to provide more predictable military support to Ukraine in coming years to repel Moscow's , as better armed Russian troops assert control on the battlefield.
鈥淲e do not approve of this, nor do we want to participate in financial or arms support (for Ukraine), even within the framework of NATO,鈥 Orb谩n said, adding that Hungary has taken a position as a 鈥渘onparticipant鈥 in any potential NATO operations to assist Kyiv.
鈥淲e've got to redefine our position within the military alliance, and our lawyers and officers are working on ... how Hungary can exist as a NATO member while not participating in NATO actions outside of its territory,鈥 he said.
Orb谩n, considered Russian President Vladimir , emphasized NATO's role as a defensive alliance, and said he doesn't share the concerns of some other Central and Eastern European countries that Russia鈥檚 military wouldn't cease its aggression if it wins the war in Ukraine.
鈥淣ATO鈥檚 strength cannot be compared to that of Ukraine,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 consider it a logical proposition that Russia, which cannot even deal with Ukraine, will come all of a sudden and swallow up the whole Western world.鈥
Hungary has refused to supply neighboring Ukraine with military aid in contrast to most other countries in the EU, and Orb谩n has the bloc's sanctions on Moscow though has ultimately always .
The nationalist leader is preparing for the European Parliament election on June 6-9, and has cast his party as a guarantor of peace in the region. He has characterized the United States and other EU countries that urge greater support for Ukraine as 鈥減ro-war鈥 and acting in preparation for a global conflict.
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