Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Ukraine should function as a buffer state between NATO and Russia, naming Slovakia as the potential candidate, in a recent interview with Welt am Sonntag.
Orbán on Ukraine as a Buffer
In his interview, Orbán explained that the historical European security model depended on NATO’s 1999 expansion, which set the alliance’s eastern border with Poland, Czechia, Hungary, and later the Baltic states, Bulgaria, Romania, and Slovakia. He said Ukraine was intended to act as a buffer between NATO and Russia, providing balance and peace.
Ukraine as Buffer After the War
Orbán warned that Russia claims the West has armed Ukraine, effectively integrating it into NATO and seeking membership, which would upset the balance of power. He argues that after the war Ukraine should again become a buffer state, with its borders defined at an international peace conference. He asserted that territory agreed upon at such a conference would remain, and everything west of that line would belong to Ukraine as a new buffer zone.
Ukraine–USA Talks
On Sunday, a Ukrainian delegation will travel to Florida to discuss a peace plan with U.S. officials, following recent meetings in Geneva. The delegation is headed by Security Council Chair Rustem Umierow and is expected to meet Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Kyiv aims to convince the U.S. that it cannot cross the so‑called red lines and needs clarification on the legal status of occupied territories and its future military alliances.
Negotiation Challenges
Negotiations will be difficult, as Ukraine is grappling with a growing corruption scandal and political turmoil. The country will also have to dialogue with Witkoff, who, according to leaked recordings, is closely aligned with the Kremlin and allegedly lobbyists for Russian interests.
