According to a US newspaper report, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban does not want to join Washington in a harder pace against Russia and China. Rather, the right-wing national politician strives to keep his country „neutral“ as Austria „, wrote the“ Wall Street Journal „(“ WSJ „, online edition).
However, unlike Hungary, Austria is not a member of NATO. The newspaper relied on information from diplomats and government officials who were aware of Orban’s talks with US ambassador to Budapest, David Cornstein. Hungary would continue to participate in NATO missions. At the same time Orban opposes the US pressure to limit the influence of Russia and China in Europe.
Orban hopes for Chinese investment
Washington expresses grave concern about China’s potential for cyber espionage through technology exports. Orban, in turn, hopes for Chinese investment and sees no risks in Chinese technology.
The US also complains that Budapest vetoed the work of the NATO-Ukraine Council. Hungary justifies this with a school law that is detrimental to the small Hungarian minority in Ukraine. Orban maintains a good relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose country is in conflict with Ukraine.
