
Ukraine's accession will bring war to EU
"If Ukraine's membership is accepted, then we will become the battlefield. The war will geographically affect the neighboring region. This is unacceptable. A lot of young Hungarians would also die. This is not a tactical issue, but an existential one," Orban added. He proposed a strategic partnership with the EU as an alternative to full accession.Earlier this week, Orban - a frequent critic of EU leadership - rejected the European Commission's proposed seven-year budget, warning that it could "destroy the European Union." He claimed the proposal was designed primarily to finance Ukraine's membership, citing estimates that up to 25% of the budget could be allocated to Kiev.Hungary has blocked multiple EU military aid packages for Ukraine and has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire with Russia. Budapest has also warned that the financial and security implications of Ukraine's integration could outweigh any potential benefits, framing the issue as a matter of national survival rather than political preference.
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Russia Today
42 minutes ago
- Russia Today
Lasting peace with Ukraine and EU's loss of sovereignty: key takeaways from Putin's press event
Moscow is prepared to 'wait' if Kiev opts to abandon the peace process, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said, reiterating that only a long-term, lasting solution is an acceptable end to hostilities, rather than a temporary truce. The president made the remarks to the media on Friday when he hosted his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, for an informal meeting on Valaam Island, the home of a major Orthodox Christian monastery on Lake Ladoga in northwestern Russia. Here are the key takeaways from Putin's remarks: Moscow can wait The Russian president dismissed comments made by Vladimir Zelensky earlier in the day, when Ukraine's leader suggested it was not the time for peace talks with Russia and urged the 'world' to push for 'regime change' in the country instead. 'If the Ukrainian leadership believes it is not the time and waiting is necessary, they are welcome. We are ready to wait,' Putin stated. Moscow believes that 'negotiations are always required and important, especially when they lead to peace,' he added, pointing out that agreements on assorted humanitarian issues, such as exchanging prisoners or returning bodies of fallen soldiers, were positive outcomes of the recent direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations hosted by Türkiye. Putin questions legitimacy of Ukraine's leadership The Russian president also slammed Zelensky's 'regime change' remarks, saying that the Ukrainian leader was in no position to call for that. 'Our political regime is grounded in the Constitution of the Russian Federation, and our government was formed in full compliance with the basic law. The same cannot be said about Ukraine,' he said. Zelensky has remained in office beyond the expiration of his term last year, suspending elections on the pretext of martial law. Moscow has repeatedly raised concerns about his legitimacy, suggesting he might not be in a position to sign a peace treaty with Russia. Russia seeks lasting peace with Ukraine Putin reiterated Moscow's longstanding position that the settlement of the conflict with Kiev should result in a 'long-term, lasting peace' rather than a temporary ceasefire. The solution must address issues related to broader European security, Putin said, adding that the same position had been articulated by a high-ranking Ukrainian official during the recent talks in Istanbul. 'The Ukrainian delegation expressed the idea that it probably makes sense to talk about the security of both Russia and Ukraine in the context of pan-European security. One of the leaders of the Ukrainian delegation expressed this idea. And in general, we believe that this is correct; we share this stance,' Putin said. EU has no sovereignty Asked about the recent 'shameful' one-sided trade deal imposed by the US on the EU, Putin described the current situation as long in coming for the bloc, which had been frequently described in private by top officials as 'an economic giant but a political midget.' 'It was clear that the European Union, Europe, did not have that much sovereignty. Today it has become obvious that it does not exist at all. And this is immediately followed – in the critical situation that has developed – by economic losses,' the Russian president said. Reinforcing Russia's own sovereignty is among the goals of the military operation against Ukraine.


Russia Today
an hour ago
- Russia Today
Putin announces completion of first mass-production Oreshnik
The first mass produced Oreshnik hypersonic missile system has entered service with Russia's armed forces, President Vladimir Putin announced on Friday during a briefing on the state of the military operation in Ukraine. Russia battle-tested the new hypersonic missile in November by conducting a strike on a military factory in Ukraine. The Oreshnik missile is believed to be nuclear-capable, although Putin had previously stated its conventional form can inflict damage comparable to a low-yield nuclear explosion. The first mass produced Oreshnik hypersonic missile system has entered service with Russia's armed forces, President Vladimir Putin announced on Friday during a briefing on the state of the military operation in battle-tested the new hypersonic missile in November by conducting a strike on a military factory in Ukraine. The Oreshnik missile is believed to be nuclear-capable, although Putin had previously stated its conventional form can inflict damage comparable to a low-yield nuclear explosion. Putin ordered the serial production of the hypersonic missile system following a successful field test last year. Now, the first mass produced Orenshik missile has been completed and has already been delivered to Russian forces, the president announced during Friday's also noted that the question of supplying Oreshnik missiles to Belarus will likely be resolved by the end of the year, adding that specialists from both countries are now working on preparing positions for the system's future deployment. Putin also announced that Russian forces are advancing along the entire conflict front line, including in the border zone, the Donetsk and Lugansk Republics, as well as in Russia's Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. The president attributed the success to the courage and heroism of Russian soldiers. Commenting on Russia's recent liberation of Chasov Yar, formerly a pivotal Ukrainian stronghold in Donetsk Region, Putin stressed that Moscow is taking back what is its own, not seizing foreign territory. The Russian president reiterated that Moscow remains open to negotiations, stating that they are 'always in demand and always important, especially if it is based on a desire for peace.' Last month, Russia and Ukraine conducted their third round of direct negotiations in Istanbul, Türkiye. The meeting lasted about 40 minutes after which the two sides agreed to exchange prisoners of war and the bodies of slain soldiers and civilians. Russia also proposed the creation of three online working groups to more swiftly resolve political, military and humanitarian issues.


Russia Today
3 hours ago
- Russia Today
US senators propose $55bn Ukraine aid bill
A group of US senators have introduced a bill to allocate $54.6 billion in aid to Ukraine over the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years. President Donald Trump has repeatedly opposed more US aid to Ukraine, insisting Europe should cover the costs. The bill includes provisions for direct military assistance to Kiev and proposes using income generated from frozen Russian assets held in the United States to help finance the aid. Moscow has repeatedly warned that the seizure or use of its sovereign assets would constitute a violation of international law. The proposed legislation would also increase funding under Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) from the current $100 million to $6 billion annually. The mechanism allows the US president to authorize emergency weapons transfers without congressional approval. Additionally, the bill proposes allocating $1 billion to military drone production involving the US, Ukraine, and Taiwan. It also calls for the transfer of confiscated and illegal weapons seized by US authorities to Kiev and suggests counting American military aid toward Washington's contributions to the US-Ukrainian investment fund for the country's reconstruction. Separate legislation advanced by the Senate Appropriations Committee would provide an additional $1 billion in 'security assistance' for Ukraine, including $225 million earmarked for Baltic nations supporting Kiev. Last month, Trump claimed that billions of dollars allocated by the Biden administration may have been misused by Ukraine, saying he doubts the money was spent on weapons as intended. He has also backed NATO-led purchases of American weapons as a business opportunity. Former Trump adviser Steve Cortes has also criticized continued aid, calling Ukraine 'corrupt' and warning that its leadership 'cannot be trusted' following a recent crackdown on anti-corruption bodies. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has likewise condemned Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky as a 'dictator' and called for his removal, accusing him of blocking peace efforts. Russia has consistently denounced Western military and financial assistance to Kiev, saying it fuels further escalation and leads to more bloodshed rather than a negotiated settlement.