The press conference of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was disrupted by a politician from the opposition Democratic Coalition. The man ran into the room, shouting and accusing Orban of “betraying the country”, which – as he said – was selling it to Russia and China. The activist was led out under security escort.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was available to journalists at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday in connection with the presentation of the priorities of the Hungarian presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2024, scheduled for Wednesday.
At the beginning of the press conference, Orban was verbally attacked by a man. According to the 444.hu website, it was opposition activist Marton Gyekiczki. He asked Orban a question: “For how much did you sell our country, Mr. Prime Minister?” He was led away by the guards.
The head of the Hungarian government was asked, among others, about what he will do if his country is attacked by Russia and whether he will then do what he recommends Ukraineso he will give it back Vladimir Putin part of its territory. Orban replied that there was no such possibility because his country was in the North Atlantic Alliance. “NATO and Article 5 give Hungary a total sense of security,” he said.
READ ALSO: Viktor Orban in Moscow. He met with Putin
This article, written in the North Atlantic Treaty, orders the remaining member states of the Alliance to provide assistance to the attacked country.
– NATO is faster than Ukraine, Orban added. Meanwhile, in his opinion, which – as he emphasized – differs him from most EU leaders, Ukraine cannot win on the battlefield. – If you cannot win on the battlefield, you must communicate and negotiate – he said to a Ukrainian journalist asking a question.
EU ministers are working on a new loan for Ukraine
Meanwhile, in Luxembourg on Tuesday, EU finance ministers discussed a new loan of EUR 35 billion that the EU wants to grant to Ukraine. The loan, secured by Russian assets frozen by the EU, is to be the EU's contribution to support in the G7 countries format, which will amount to a total of EUR 45 billion.
Hungaryaccused of abusing unanimity to block issues regarding support for Ukraine, will not be able to block this loan, because the decision only requires the consent of the majority of countries.
However, Hungary does not want to agree to extend the sanctions period from six to 36 months. This decision, which requires unanimity because it concerns EU sanctions policy, is intended to provide a more stable source of loan repayment for Ukraine.
EU member states would have to extend the sanctions that freeze Russian assets not every six months, but every three years.
Main photo source: CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON/PAP/EPA