In his letter, the Prime Minister proposed that “we shape our Ukraine policy with the following facts in mind.”
According to the first point of his reply, “Ukraine cannot win this war on the battlefield. So far, it has lost roughly 20 per cent of its territory. As time goes on, it will lose additional territory. It is unreasonable for the Commission to support an unwinnable war with political and financial instruments. Continuing the war will entail thousands of further victims, immense suffering and enormous destruction – without any chance of victory. Of course, Ukraine has the right to continue the war, but it is not our obligation to keep supporting and financing a conflict that cannot be won.”
Based on the second point, “The extent of Ukraine’s war-related suffering can only be limited by a swift ceasefire and/or a peace agreement. For this reason, we Europeans must immediately and unconditionally support the peace initiative of the President of the United States. In addition to supporting the US President, we must without delay launch autonomous and direct diplomatic negotiations with Russia.”
In the third point, Mr Orbán writes: “The European Union must urgently begin preparations for negotiations on the settlement of the post-war situation. In these negotiations the EU must show strength. The EU does not increase its strength – on the contrary, it weakens – when it spends its financial resources on strengthening the Ukrainian army instead of strengthening itself. The fate of Ukraine and the Ukrainian armed forces is uncertain. Therefore, Europe cannot build its own security on Ukraine and the Ukrainian army. Europe’s security can only be built on the European Union’s member states and their own military strength, regardless of Ukraine’s future fate.”
In point four, the Prime Minister wrote: “On this basis I inform you that Hungary does not support the European Union sending any further financial assistance to Ukraine in any form. Hungary does not wish to participate in such a financial operation and does not consent to such a decision being taken in the name and framework of the EU.”
In the fifth point, Mr Orbán finds it regrettable that “in the shadow of the latest chapter of Ukrainian corruption – which is causing incalculable financial damage and a crisis of trust – your proposals do not include oversight of the funds already spent, nor stricter conditions for future disbursements.”
“Madam President, It is better to recognise your mistake in time and back out of this dead end than to continue until you crash into the wall of reality. We have already burned an enormous amount of European money in this war. If you continue down this path, it will drag the entire European Union into a severe crisis,” Mr Orbán wrote, concluding his letter, wishing her strength and courage for her difficult decision.”
