Hungarian Prime Minister, Victor Orban, has denied forming an “alliance” with Russia at a far right conservative conference in Brussels.

    Despite allegations from opponents of cultivating close ties with Vladimir Putin’s Russia, Orban asserts their shared interests lie in maintaining a "buffer state" between Russia and Hungary.

    “We never want to share a common border with Russia again,” Orban stated at the two-day conference attended by some 40 conservative, religious, and far-right leaders.

    According to him, Ukraine is now nothing more than a “protectorate of Europe”. “Without Western help, the country would no longer exist. But it’s already no longer a sovereign state,” he stated.

    Orban conceded Ukraine’s right to defend itself against Russian aggression. “But it’s not Hungary’s war,” Orban said. He emphasised Ukraine’s essential role as a buffer regardless of its state name.

    The Hungarian leader criticised the European Union’s geopolitical perspective. The EU commits a strategic error according to him by supporting Ukraine, arguing it should instead focus on fostering a peace process between Ukraine and Russia.

    Orban continued by warning that the EU is backing a country that "cannot win the war, and should aim for a ceasefire and adapt to geopolitical realities.”

    The discussion regarding aid to Ukraine is currently on the agenda during a two-day EU summit held in Brussels. The assembled EU leaders are also discussing the heightened tensions between Iran and Israel as well as the Israel-Hamas war.