Ukraine should function as “buffer zone” between Russia, West – Orbán

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán reiterated the view that Ukraine should function as a “buffer zone” between Russia and the West, receiving specific security assurances but without formal membership in the European Union or NATO.

“Any attempts to push beyond this could result in Ukraine losing territory. Russia, time and again, will exert pressure on Ukraine. Russia will vehemently oppose the emergence of Ukraine as a member of the European Union and NATO along its borders,” Orbán remarked.

He also pointed to an opportunity in 2008 for Ukraine and Georgia to pursue membership in the European Union and NATO, but this opportunity was not seized. Orbán argued that as a result, Russia had since grown stronger and was now unlikely to allow such a process to occur.

“We missed the chance to successfully conclude accession negotiations with Ukraine and Georgia, consequently forfeiting Ukraine’s potential as a future member of the European Union and NATO,” stated Orbán.