The Ukraine war thread
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The below could go in many different forum threads but here is as good a place as any.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/07/viktor-orban-to-visit-donald-trump-in-florida-hungary
The longtime Hungarian prime minister, who has faced repeated criticism from the US government over democratic backsliding and his friendly relationship with the Kremlin, will be arriving in the US this week without an invitation from the White House.
In an almost unheard-of move for a Nato country’s leader, he is not expected to meet anyone from the Biden administration.
Instead, he is scheduled to speak on Thursday on a panel with the head of a conservative thinktank, the Heritage Foundation, before meeting Trump in Florida on Friday.
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“Both Orbán and Putin’s communications focus on ‘peace’ negotiations, which would undoubtedly benefit the Russians,” Buda said, adding that “one cannot be wrong to assume that Orbán is ultimately lobbying the US on foreign policy in favour of Russia”.
The Hungarian leader has publicly expressed his hope for a foreign policy shift in Washington and Brussels.
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The Hungarian government – which maintains relationships with Moscow and Beijing, still employs former communist security officials and is known for its tendency to skew business competition at home – does not fit in well with traditional American conservatives. The late Republican John McCain described Orbán in 2014 as “a neo-fascist dictator”.
Nevertheless, Orbán’s team have spent a significant amount of time and money on cultivating relationships with a different strand of US conservatives.
The Hungarian government has in recent years hired US consultancies with conservative links to help improve its image.
The Hungarian embassy in Washington has also been directly involved in the outreach: for example, it hosted the former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy twice in the past year.
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A bit worrying.
Trump’s presidential campaign claimed the pair met to discuss a “wide range of issues affecting Hungary and the United States, including the paramount importance of strong and secure borders to protect the sovereignty of each nation.”
“He’s a non-controversial figure because he says, ‘This is the way it’s going to be,’ and that’s the end of it. Right?” Trump said of the Hungarian prime minister in a video on Instagram. “He’s the boss.”
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Orban has faced backlash over his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, his resistance to sending aid to Ukraine and expanding NATO, and even allegations of trying to weaken the judiciary system in Hungary.
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A bit worrying.
Trump’s presidential campaign claimed the pair met to discuss a “wide range of issues affecting Hungary and the United States, including the paramount importance of strong and secure borders to protect the sovereignty of each nation.”
“He’s a non-controversial figure because he says, ‘This is the way it’s going to be,’ and that’s the end of it. Right?” Trump said of the Hungarian prime minister in a video on Instagram. “He’s the boss.”
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Orban has faced backlash over his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, his resistance to sending aid to Ukraine and expanding NATO, and even allegations of trying to weaken the judiciary system in Hungary.
Not the least bit worrying. Viktor Orban is a paragon of liberal democracy. For one, unlike Lukashenko or Putin, he does not beat up, incarcerate or murder his opponents. He merely changes rules and election laws so he can stay in power. The much heralded President Presumptive of America, the Duke of Mar-A-Lago, might gain valuable insight from this visit.
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Not the least bit worrying. Viktor Orban is a paragon of liberal democracy. For one, unlike Lukashenko or Putin, he does not beat up, incarcerate or murder his opponents. He merely changes rules and election laws so he can stay in power. The much heralded President Presumptive of America, the Duke of Mar-A-Lago, might gain valuable insight from this visit.
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https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/11/trump-ukraine-war-viktor-orban
Donald Trump “will not give a penny” to Ukraine if he is re-elected US president, the far-right Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, said after a controversial meeting with Trump in Florida.
“He will not give a penny in the Ukraine-Russia war,” Orbán told state media in Hungary on Sunday. “Therefore, the war will end, because it is obvious that Ukraine can not stand on its own feet.”
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Calling Trump “a man of peace”, Orbán said: “If the Americans don’t give money and weapons, along with the Europeans, the war is over. And if the Americans don’t give money, the Europeans alone can’t finance this war. And then the war is over.” (This would likely mean Ukraine losing the war to Russia.)
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Fights within Russia
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https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/11/trump-ukraine-war-viktor-orban
Donald Trump “will not give a penny” to Ukraine if he is re-elected US president, the far-right Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, said after a controversial meeting with Trump in Florida.
“He will not give a penny in the Ukraine-Russia war,” Orbán told state media in Hungary on Sunday. “Therefore, the war will end, because it is obvious that Ukraine can not stand on its own feet.”
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Calling Trump “a man of peace”, Orbán said: “If the Americans don’t give money and weapons, along with the Europeans, the war is over. And if the Americans don’t give money, the Europeans alone can’t finance this war. And then the war is over.” (This would likely mean Ukraine losing the war to Russia.)
Calling Trump “a man of peace”, Orbán said…
Funny, Nikki Haley and others of notable rank and station, who know Trump much better than Orban will ever hope, refer to him as a “man of chaos”.
Soon Orban, the court jester he is, will be referring to the Duke of Mar-a-Lago, my Liege.
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Calling Trump “a man of peace”, Orbán said…
Funny, Nikki Haley and others of notable rank and station, who know Trump much better than Orban will ever hope, refer to him as a “man of chaos”.
Soon Orban, the court jester he is, will be referring to the Duke of Mar-a-Lago, my Liege.
@Renauda said in The Ukraine war thread:
Calling Trump “a man of peace”, Orbán said…
Funny, Nikki Haley and others of notable rank and station, who know Trump much better than Orban will ever hope, refer to him as a “man of chaos”.
Soon Orban, the court jester he is, will be referring to the Duke of Mar-a-Lago, my Liege.
Nah, Mr. President will do.
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Putin is feeling cocky:
"The fact is that the militaries of Western countries have been present in Ukraine for a long time," the Russian leader claimed, referring to what the Kremlin says are mercenaries.
"But if we talk about official military contingents of foreign countries, I am sure it will not change the situation on the battlefield," he added.
So now he doesn’t care if NATO members deploy troops to Ukraine, so long as no US troops are among that number?
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Election comedy in occupied Ukraine:
"Pro-Russian locals visit households with ballot boxes, accompanied by armed military men. If they knock and no one opens, they move on to the next house. They don't break into houses, but they do visit," the local resident said.
They added: "This is ridiculous. What kind of election is it when there are two locals - one holding a list of voters and the other a ballot box - and a military man with a machine gun? This isn't democracy. It's a comedy show."
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Ukraine targets refineries, Russia continues to terrorize and target civilians:
The tactic of firing a second missile at the same location, aiming to hit rescuers, is known in military terms as a "double tap." Such strikes often hit civilians.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-russia-double-tap-missile-strike-odesa-1.7144818
