Orban on war in Ukraine: If Americans want it, peace will come tomorrow morning

He said this in an interview with Kossuth radio.

According to Orban, the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine contributes to escalation and does not bring peace closer.

"If the Americans want it, peace will come tomorrow morning. Why the Americans don't want it is a question the whole world is thinking about. We didn't get an answer to why the Americans don't want it at the NATO summit either," the Hungarian leader said.

He emphasized that Ukraine has allegedly lost its sovereignty, has no money and no military industry, and all of this is supplied by the United States and other allies.

It is worth noting that this is not the first time Orban has made such statements. In April, Orban called Ukraine a "financially non-existent country". According to him, Ukrainians receive pensions and salaries only because Hungary allocates funds for them. In May, the politician expressed his belief that no one could defeat Russia, and in early June he called on Ukraine to hold peace talks, threatening it with huge losses in the event of a counteroffensive.

Supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine

In December 2022, Ukraine asked the United States to provide it with cluster munitions for MLRS and artillery shells. At the time, the administration of US President Joe Biden was not ready to fulfill this request and was considering it.

In February 2023, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on Western allies to provide the country with cluster munitions.

Following Ukraine's initial request to the United States for cluster munitions, there was an expansion of the appeal. Kyiv specifically asked Washington for MK-20 aircraft cluster bombs with the intention of modifying them for use with drones. It was revealed that there was some level of support for Ukraine's request within the US Congress. However, the Biden administration strongly opposed the proposal as cluster munitions are banned by a 2008 international treaty.

Later, four members of the US Congress from the Republican Party called on the US President to send cluster munitions to Ukraine.

On July 6, Human Rights Watch called on the administration of US President Joe Biden not to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, warning of the danger to civilians.

On July 7, the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva has responded to reports that the United States may provide cluster munitions to Ukraine by opposing such supplies.

On the same day, the United States announced the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine, and on July 13, Ukraine confirmed their arrival.