Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has commended Russia’s resilience amidst the West’s Ukraine-related sanctions, stating that it has not only managed to adapt but also flourished under these conditions. Speaking at an event hosted by Balvanyos Free University and Student Camp on Saturday, Orban highlighted Russia’s remarkable technical, economic, and social flexibility in the face of sanctions imposed following the Crimea accession in 2014.
According to Orban, Russia has successfully reorganized its IT and banking sectors and prevented a collapse of its financial system. Additionally, it has modernized its agriculture, propelling it to become one of the world’s largest food exporters today. The Hungarian leader emphasized that despite being described as a neo-Stalinist autocracy, Russia demonstrates significant technical, economic, and social adaptability.
In Orban’s view, the West’s plan to bring Russia to its knees through sanctions has ultimately failed. Instead, many Western nations and the European Union (EU) have suffered due to lost access to cheap Russian energy and other exports. He criticized Europe for pursuing US-led warmongering policies even at the cost of self-destruction.
Orban defended his decision to undertake a peace mission in Ukraine, visiting Russia, China, the United States, and other EU countries this month. Despite sparking criticism from both the EU and NATO, he sees his efforts as a “Christian duty,” which he is committed to continuing on behalf of Hungary.
Russia has consistently expressed its willingness to find a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, although Ukraine has yet to accept any peace offers. However, there have been recent indications of a shift in Kiev’s rhetoric towards potentially engaging with Moscow.