Orbán zu Russia: The Russians are too weak for that!

Orbán zu Russia: The Russians are too weak for that!

Ungarn, Land - Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian Prime Minister, has shown his view of the military threat of Russia in an interview with the French television station La Chaîne Info (LCI). Orbán is skeptical about Moscow's military strength and sees no serious danger to NATO countries, since Russia has not achieved its goals in the Ukraine conflict. He explains: "The Russians are too weak. You can't even defeat Ukraine, so you can't actually attack NATO." This assessment illustrates his view that the war in Ukraine does not immediately endanger the safety of NATO members, which t-online.de reported.

Hungary contradicts many other NATO countries. Orbán emphasizes that Hungary's position differs from that of most NATO members. According to tagesschau.de he believes that the war can be ended most quickly by not making any weapons or money available to Ukraine. Despite differences, a compromise was achieved between Orbán and NATO general secretary Jens Stoltenberg to prevent a veto in Hungary. Stoltenberg sees an essential measure in the NATO aids to avoid a deterioration in the situation.

While Hungary will not take part in arms deliveries and the training of the Ukrainian army, Orbán has assured that he will not oppose NATO's efforts. Nevertheless, his past is shaped by the attempt to block both NATO and EU aids. At an upcoming NATO summit in July, new financial aid for Ukraine is to be decided, while Orbán has announced that the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is not supported in the election of a successor to Stoltenberg in autumn.

The contextual framework of NATO

NATO has reacted to the security policy challenges, especially the Russian attack war against Ukraine, and found in its current strategic concept that there is no peace in Europe and that authoritarian regime challenges the interests of the member countries. According to bpb.de , Russia remains a central problem for NATO that has undertaken to "defend every square meter of the bundle of bundle". NATO plans an increased presence in the states of the eastern flank to counter the current threat situation, including the increase in its troops and improving support for Ukraine.

Although there are differences within the alliance, NATO remains optimistic about its unity and its ability to meet common challenges. Orbán's isolated position and its negative attitude towards military aids could influence the dynamics within NATO in the long term, while the Member States are looking for ways to react to the security policy challenges in Europe and beyond.