Hungary’s far-right prime minister, Viktor Orban, has nurtured close political and economic ties with Russia for more than a decade. But now he's facing increasing pressure to cut close connections with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Though Orban neglected to mention Putin by name, or to call the “military action” an invasion, his apparent about-face was long awaited by his critics both in the EU and in Hungary.
A formerly communist country that was dominated by the Soviet Union for more than 40 years, Hungary has historically deeply distrusted Moscow, which ordered the brutal repression of an anti-Soviet uprising in 1956 that led to thousands of civilian deaths and some 200,000 refugees fleeing the country.
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalates, Orban faces greater pressure than ever to choose between Moscow and Hungary’s Western partners in the EU and NATO military alliance — but is showing increasing signs that he may continue to straddle the line between the two. On Monday, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto — on whom Putin bestowed one of the highest Russian state honors last year — announced that Hungary would not allow the transit of lethal arms bound for Ukraine on its territory.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Letters: A’s stadium | Evaluating pay | Cutting off Putin | Nuclear waste | FAA’s 5G caution | Close GuantanamoEast Bay Times Letters to the Editor for March 1, 2022
Read more »
Met Opera Cuts Ties With Pro-Putin Artists Over UkraineThe policy will be in effect “until the invasion and killing has been stopped, order has been restored, and restitutions have been made.”
Read more »
Inslee directs agencies to cut ties with Russian companiesInslee also urged private companies in Washington state to consider cutting ties with Russia.
Read more »
EXCLUSIVE: Models Soo Joo Park, Caroline de Maigret Are ANDAM Guest JurorsStéphane Ashpool, the designer behind streetwear brand Pigalle Paris, will bring a unique perspective as a guest juror for the 2022 ANDAM Awards.
Read more »
Live updates: Greece sending defense aid to UkraineFrance is joining many other European countries in closing their airspace to all Russian aircraft as the West ramps up pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin for ordering an invasion of Ukraine.
Read more »