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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
Photo: ZOLTAN FISCHER / HUNGARIAN PM OFFICE / HANDOUT / EPA
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Hungary has repeatedly opposed joint measures by the EU.
Now the Hungarian prime minister in Kyiv is causing further horror with a statement.
The Ukrainian leadership has sharply criticized Viktor Orbán for his stance on the Ukraine war.
"The remarks made by Hungary's prime minister demonstrate pathological contempt for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people who oppose Russian aggression, and political short-sightedness," Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said on its website on Tuesday.
It was triggered by a statement by Orbán that the war could end if the US stopped providing arms to Kyiv.
Orbán is thus calling for Ukraine's defeat, but that would only increase the risk of Russian aggression against Hungary itself, according to Ukraine's foreign ministry.
"The Hungarian leader should ask himself if he wants peace."
Relations between Budapest and Kyiv are strained.
Since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, Orbán has repeatedly tried to block EU support for the neighboring country or sanctions against Russia.
At a football game, he wore a scarf with the outlines of what was once Greater Hungary, which also included parts of Ukraine.
There has been a dispute over the Hungarian minority in Ukraine for years.
At the same time, Orbán has maintained good relations with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin for a long time.
Hungary is heavily dependent on Russian gas supplies.
asc/dpa