“It’s important that there be something between Russia and Hungary”: Orbán explained why he is ‘interested’ in Ukraine’s survival.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that his country is interested in preserving Ukraine, because for Hungarians it is important that there is “always something” between Russia and Hungary.

He said this on March 9 in parliament; a fragment of his speech was published by Telex on YouTube.

“For us Hungarians, it is important that there is always something between Russia and Hungary. When we were neighbors of the Soviet Union, that was not beneficial for Hungary,” Orbán said.

Therefore, he added, Hungary is not interested in weakening Ukraine.

“On the contrary—we are interested in strengthening it, so that there is always something—one can even call it Ukraine—that exists between Russia and Hungary,” Orbán said.

He stressed that Hungary’s security can be guaranteed more effectively if the country is not a direct neighbor of Russia. Therefore, he said, Ukraine can always count on Hungary’s support.

However, Orbán again spoke out against Ukraine joining the European Union.

“We do not want to see such a country in the EU, but we will strive to ensure that there is a strategic agreement between the European Union and Ukraine that will define Ukraine’s future in a way that is good for Europe and for us Hungarians,” he added.