Hungary’s Viktor Orban says that, having lived under Western restrictions since 2014, the country has not only adjusted but flourished thanks to its “flexibility”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has praised Russia’s resilience in the face of the West’s Ukraine-related sanctions, asserting that the country has not only adapted but thrived.
Speaking at an event hosted by Balvanyos Free University and Student Camp on Saturday, Orban noted that Russia has been compelled to learn how to function under sanctions ever since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. He argued that over the years, it has exhibited remarkable technical, economic, and social adaptability in the face of these sanctions.
“The Russians learned lessons from sanctions imposed on them after the Crimea annexation, and not only did they learn them, but they also turned those lessons into action and implemented the necessary developments,” Orban stated.
“[They] have undertaken the necessary reorganization of the IT and banking sectors, and did not allow their financial system to collapse. They have developed an ability to adapt… they modernized their agriculture and today they are among the world’s largest food exporters,” he added.
When Russia is described as a rigid neo-Stalinist autocracy – it is a lie. We are talking about a country that demonstrates technical, economic and, as you can see, social flexibility.
According to Orban, the West’s plan “to bring Russia to its knees” with sanctions has failed, while the economies of numerous Western nations, and the EU in particular, have suffered due to the loss of access to inexpensive Russian energy and other exports. Orban remarked that Russia possesses a “hyper-rational leadership,” guided by a logical, calm, and predictable government, while the behavior of the West is not rational. He claimed that European politics “has collapsed” and “given up on its own interests” to follow the US and its warmongering “even at the cost of self-destruction.”
The Hungarian leader defended his decision to embark on what he termed a Ukraine “peace mission,” under which he traveled to Ukraine, Russia, China, the US, and to other EU countries earlier this month to hold talks with the “five main actors” of the conflict. Although his efforts, and particularly his visit to Moscow for discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, sparked a barrage of criticism within both the EU and NATO, Orban stated that he views his mission as a “Christian duty” and would not hesitate to continue on this path of action.
Russia has repeatedly affirmed its eagerness to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict, albeit on terms that it finds suitable. Kiev has thus far rejected all peace overtures, although its rhetoric regarding engagement with Moscow has been evolving in recent weeks. Vladimir Zelensky, who previously emphasized that he wouldn’t engage in dialogue with Putin, earlier this week indicated his desire for the diplomatic process to commence and saw “no difference” in who he had to engage with, “Putin or not.”