T24 International News
The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated following his controversial meeting with former US President Donald Trump that he would cut aid to Ukraine if the former US President were to be re-elected to the White House.
Trump and Orban met on Friday at Trump’s residence in Florida. Orbans meeting with an unofficial person during his stay in another country and the discussion of current issues stirred controversies. As Trump is also in the race for the presidential candidacy and is most likely to be the candidate, Orban’s expression of support was considered unusual in terms of the democratic process and diplomatic understanding.
In an interview with state media about the visit on Sunday, Orban stated: „Trump will not give a cent for the war between Ukraine and Russia. Therefore, the war will end because it is clear that Ukraine cannot stand alone.“
Orban claimed that Trump has a „detailed plan“ to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, which is already in its third year. Orban referred to Trump as a „man of peace“ and continued: „If the Americans do not provide money and weapons to the side of Europe, the war will end. And if the Americans do not provide money, Europe cannot finance this war alone. Thus, the war will end.“ Orban speaks of a scenario in which Ukraine loses the war against Russia.
Although the USA and its allies support Ukraine, the latest aid package from the US government still needs to be approved by Congress. The package, which was passed by the Senate with bipartisan support, is being prevented from being sent to the White House for signature by right-wing, Trump-friendly members in the House of Representatives.
Despite facing 91 criminal complaints and having to pay millions in fines in civil lawsuits due to his business dealings and a rape allegation that a judge found to be „essentially true,“ Trump leads the race for the leadership of the Republican Party by a large margin.
In recent weeks, Trump had stated that in the event of his re-election, he would encourage Russia to attack NATO countries that fail to reach the defense spending threshold.
After his meeting with Trump, Orban said: „It would be better for both Ukraine and Hungary if Trump were to return to power.“ The Hungarian President said: „During Trump’s presidency, there was peace in the Middle East and Ukraine. If he were still the leader of the United States, there would be no war today.“
T24