Hungary’s premier says Europe needs to take more responsibility for securing peace in region

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Thursday that peace is needed in Europe "as soon as possible” but the first priority is reaching a cease-fire in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Speaking at a press conference following a summit of the European Political Community in the capital Budapest, Orban said: "We agreed that we need peace as soon as possible in Europe."

He argued, however, that peace is "the second step.”

"The first step is the cease-fire. And my worry is that if we think too much and speak too much about the post-war long-term peace solution, we can reduce the chance of having a cease-fire."

Orban reiterated that without communication, there can be no peace, and the key to communication is establishing a cease-fire.

The prime minister underscored that what kind of peace could be at the end of the conflict is "not a precondition" of a cease-fire.

He also stressed the importance of Europe taking on more responsibility for its own safety and security, adding: "We cannot wait for the Americans to protect us."

"And there was also agreement in that Europe should remain an active actor in negotiations about the future. This will determine Europe's future," he said, noting that there will soon be such negotiations, and during those times, Europe "should be present in order to be able to influence future decisions."

On the topic of aid to Ukraine, he expressed concern over the future of the financial support already pledged by Western nations.

The €50 billion ($54 billion) aid package to Ukraine is now an "open question" following the victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential election, he said.

- Ukrainian president says quick end to war would be 'loss for Ukraine'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a separate press briefing in Budapest, told reporters that a quick peace deal between his country and Russia would be bad for Ukraine, citing US President-elect Trump's remarks that he would end the war in "24 hours."

"I believe that President Trump really wants a quick decision," Zelenskyy said.

"We all want to end this war, but with a fair ending...If it is very fast, it’s going to be a loss for Ukraine," he warned.