It’s time to stop coddling the autocrat in Budapest for the sake of self-preservation.

Dalibor Rohac is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. He tweets at @DaliborRohac.

Following the Brexit referendum, many had feared other countries might repeat the British example, eventually unraveling the European Union. But if anything, the United Kingdom’s shambolic divorce proceedings had the opposite effect, tempering Euroskepticism across the Continent.

For one country, however, a departure from the EU might well be the only answer to its deep and irreconcilable differences with Brussels: Hungary.


Hungary and the rest of the EU currently find themselves on opposite sides of the most important geopolitical issue of our time — Russia’s war against Ukraine. “You don’t support Ukraine using military means to defend its territory?” BBC’s Stephan Sackur recently asked Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s spokesman, Zoltán Kovács. His answer? “That’s right.”

Even as Germany and other traditionally vacillating members have now moved in the direction of an oil embargo against Russia, Hungary continues to delay the decision, using arguments that are as inflammatory as they are ridiculous.

“Those who have a sea and ports are able to bring oil on tankers,” Orbán said in a radio interview last week. “If they hadn’t taken it away from us,” he added, referring to the Dalmatian coast, once a part of the Hungarian Kingdom but now part of an independent Croatia and an EU member as well, “we would also have a port.” - My AOC-OP

Of course, this is not the first time Hungary finds itself at odds with the rest of the EU. From the rule of law through to gay rights, asylum policy and relations with China, Orbán has made a habit of defying the European consensus, earning applause from the likes of American Fox News host Tucker Carlson.


No fake news, no propaganda, I Dey dig news from both west and pro Russian media, then I filter the information before I digest. That’s one of the ways, you widen your knowledge on Global Affairs- OP

https://www politico eu/article/its-time-the-eu-plays-hardball-with-hungary-viktor-orban/amp/

Hungary is one funny country, they are not only an EU nation they are also in NATO, if they are always going to disagree with these organizations aims and objectives why don't they just resign from them.

They are forming Pro Putin/Pro Russia but yet maintain NATO membership such duplicity

sanpipita:
Hungary is one funny country, they are not only an EU nation they are also in NATO, if they are always going to disagree with these organizations aims and objectives why don't they just resign from them.

They are forming Pro Putin/Pro Russia but yet maintain NATO membership such duplicity

their issues is kinda complicated, the man don’t wanna get caught up in someone’s else mess ni. He does have valid reasons tho, Hungary is landlocked.

Literally, no be say most countries in the west give a fvck about Ukraine like that, but most of em Dey save face ni.
He no wan make dem drag him into something wey go backfire, I don’t blame him.

He’s not proPutin in anyway, he just put his citizens first, for me that’s a good leader, not the ones wey go act first and think later.

sanpipita:
Hungary is one funny country, they are not only an EU nation they are also in NATO, if they are always going to disagree with these organizations aims and objectives why don't they just resign from them.

They are forming Pro Putin/Pro Russia but yet maintain NATO membership such duplicity

Remember that Hungary is ruled by a far right politician (Viktor Orban)

More.

He is obviously Pro Putin. Which is not surprising being a far right politician.

jimetagambo:
He is obviously Pro Putin. Which is not surprising being a far right politician.

don’t get it twisted bro, according to the the liberals most conservatives are proPutin….. the screenshots you shared was befor the invasion, so well and check his other subsequent shows.
I’m a fan of Tucker, he’s a strong Trump’s ally, oh according to the Lefts Trump is also proPutin. Anyone that disagrees with their views na proPutin

Teazer4:
don’t get it twisted bro, according to the the liberals most conservatives are proPutin….. the screenshots you shared was befor the invasion, so well and check his other subsequent shows

Not all conservative. Most American conservative are against Putin. Check conservative leaders and senate. Lindsey Graham and Mitch McConnell have all spoken against Putin.

However the far right conservative who have always been known to be anti-muslim, Pro nazi, Anti immigration e.t.c are all in support of Putin e.g. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Alex Jones, Tulsi Gabbard e.t.c.

jimetagambo:

Not all conservative. Most American conservative are against Putin. Check conservative leaders and senate. Lindsey Graham and Mitch McConnell have all spoken against Putin.

However the far right conservative who have always been known to be anti-muslim, Pro nazi, Anti immigration e.t.c are all in support of Putin e.g. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Alex Jones, Tulsi Gabbard e.t.c.

I said MOST, bro try Dey read first b4 you reply. I no talk say ALL, difference dey. Good day

USA democrats (liberal) and Republicans(conservative) rarely agree on anything but on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, they were united in condemning the invasion and branded Putin a war criminal.

It doesn’t change anything, even if the ICC charge him with war crimes, he’s still untouchable…. It’s irrelevant in the scheme of things as far as Russia is concerned

Teazer4:
their issues is kinda complicated, the man don’t wanna get caught up in someone’s else mess ni. He does have valid reasons tho, Hungary is landlocked.

Literally, no be say most countries in the west give a fvck about Ukraine like that, but most of em Dey save face ni.
He no wan make dem drag him into something wey go backfire, I don’t blame him.

He’s not proPutin in anyway, he just put his citizens first, for me that’s a good leader, not the ones wey go act first and think later.

Orban is pro Putin, you think other nations don't care about their citizens too? if Putin overruns Europe will his citizens also be safe, he continues to criticize EU and NATO while still being a member, maybe he can just resign membership so he won't need to be tied to their decisions, it should be simple, UK left EU

Putin is not Kim(even Kim still Dey give west headache)

Putin isn’t Ayetollahs(Wey USA dey worship like a one gods like that )

Putin isn’t Assad( you go see how USA and nato quickly armed the insurrectionists , if not for Russia backings, he 4 don turn history like the others that go swept off by the Arab uprisings, Russia’s Putin single-handedly dealt with nato&usa ass, google is free if you wan confirm)

Arming Ukraine isn’t something Putin isn’t used to or bothered about, cos laslas Ukraine will look like Syria, Goan check before and after of Syria, you go know better.

Putin no send west papa, Putin doesn’t bluff. Putin nah talk and do. Putin doesn’t report to anyone. Putin can be ruthless, Nato and USA are aware that’s why they’re playing safe by doing hide&seek.

Lastly, y’all hungry kids on this section. Putin no send your papa. Putin isn’t the reason why you are living a miserable life. If politicians steal money dem no Dey carry am go Moscow.

You never curse Buhari finish or those past and present politicians wey don steal your past, present and future na Putin dey give una head…. Isn’t that madnesssss…. Madnessssss of the highest order

Putin will achieve his set goals in Ukraine and nothing wil change that, you can only scream on your used cheap phones

Most of una na ASUU victims una no organize protests , make government reason una matter, dem no kuku send una na 2023 Dey dia minds.

sanpipita:


Orban is pro Putin, you think other nations don't care about their citizens too? if Putin overruns Europe will his citizens also be safe, he continues to criticize EU and NATO while still being a member, maybe he can just resign membership so he won't need to be tied to their decisions, it should be simple, UK left EU

I disagree with you, Orban isn’t proPutin take your time and dissect his concerns, objectively.

Why do you think they’re still trying to persuade him, no other countries in Europe go experience the kind mess wey Hungary go experience if he stupidly agreed. He never said he doesn’t want to agree with em, he just said it’s practically impossible to just stop like others I mean in 6 months….

Common, whites no be sufferhead like we Africans, if hardship don too much dem go protest. Did you follow the recent local election in Uk recently, you see how the Tories, nah statements be that if dem no tidy up wella , dem fit lose to Labor in the general elections. If you read the news about the Queen’s speech earlier today, she made reference to the rise in the cost of living that the government should do something about it.

My point is that if a leader make a stvpid mistake and his ppl end of suffering dem go revolt. I stand with Orban. He has participated in a the sanctions so far, how is he proPutin

Abeg manage any error wey Dey dia… I’m working…nah multitask I Dey do

Teazer4:
their issues is kinda complicated, the man don’t wanna get caught up in someone’s else mess ni. He does have valid reasons tho, Hungary is landlocked.

Literally, no be say most countries in the west give a fvck about Ukraine like that, but most of em Dey save face ni.
He no wan make dem drag him into something wey go backfire, I don’t blame him.

He’s not proPutin in anyway, he just put his citizens first, for me that’s a good leader, not the ones wey go act first and think later.

Here's a 'Teazer', on a lighter note, I find your last paragraph a little hilarious..
.. (paraphrasing) He's not pro-Putin in anyway, he's just "Put-in" his citizens first..
I pray there's a resolution to this European conflict as it affects the world either directly or indirectly.

Day169:

On a lighter note, I find your last paragraph a little hilarious..
.. (paraphrasing) He's not pro-Putin in anyway, he's just "Put-in" his citizens first..
I pray there's a resolution to this European conflict as it affects the world either directly or indirectly.

that’s hilarious
No it won’t affect the world, nah Europe’s mess be that, dem go look for new supplier and Someone else go buy Russian oil, oil no Dey spoil…

Russian oil is the cheapest in the world market, India and China are so happy right now. the population of the whole Europe no reach that of China and India, shey you see na bigger market. Not right away tho, some infrastructures has to be in place, I read some reports the other day they’re already working on it.

At the end of the war, na only bad names in the west go be the stain on Russia’s identity, I believe they can live with that.. but you see Ukraine is still the biggest loser, see all those beautiful ancient buildings don fall like Jericho.
I was opportune to visit Kyiv about 3 years ago, in one of my European adventures, I still have pictures here on my laptop but obviously I can’t share here….it is beautiful country rich in culture, same as Warsaw too…

It is what it is… life’s goes on…

I’m not a troll, my main moniker Teaser4 got a month ban, you can click on it, it was registered in 2009.

Peace brother
Stay safe

Teazer4:
that’s hilarious
No it won’t affect the world, nah Europe’s mess be that, dem go look for new supplier and Someone else go buy Russian oil, oil no Dey spoil…

Russian oil is the cheapest in the world market, India and China are so happy right now. the population of the whole Europe no reach that of China and India, shey you see na bigger market. Not right away tho, some infrastructures has to be in place, I read some reports the other day they’re already working on it.

At the end of the war, na only bad names in the west go be the stain on Russia’s identity, I believe they can live with that.. but you see Ukraine is still the biggest loser, see all those beautiful ancient buildings don fall like Jericho.
I was opportune to visit Kyiv about 3 years ago, in one of my European adventures, I still have pictures here on my laptop but obviously I can’t share here….it is beautiful country rich in culture, same as Warsaw too…

It is what it is… life’s goes on…

I’m not a troll, my main moniker Teaser4 got a month ban, you can click on it, it was registered in 2009.

Peace brother
Stay safe

Kindly add Pakistan to that list.

olugabbie:


Kindly add Pakistan to that list.

And Turkey, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Greece, etc