Trump ‘Won’t Send Penny To Ukraine,’ Says Hungary’s Prime Minister
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán says former U.S. President Donald J. Trump told him he won’t give “a penny” to support Ukraine in its war against Russia if he is re-elected in November.
Orbán commented after both men met in the United States at Trump’s Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, last week.
The Hungarian prime minister, Europe’s only European leader to endorse Trump’s re-run for the White House, told state-run Hungarian news channel M1 that Trump “wants peace.”
Orbán has made clear in comments monitored by Worthy News that he supports Trump’s vision in part due to concerns about the plight of about 150,000 ethnic Hungarians living in Ukraine.
Several of them were killed and injured after being drafted into the Ukrainian army to fight against the invading Russian army, he and other government officials said.
“I don’t see any other person as determined and strong as Donald J. Trump,” Orbán told M1, adding that Trump “will not give a single penny to the Ukrainian-Russian war; therefore, the war will end.”
NO WEAPONS
Hungary has refused to send weapons to Ukraine and nearly vetoed a massive European Union aid package, though Worthy News learned it unofficially backs American-led military efforts in the region.
In a reaction to Orbán‘s remarks, the Trump campaign focused on Trump’s previous demands that other countries should pay more of the cost of the Russia-Ukraine war.
“President Trump has repeatedly stated that a top priority in his second term will be to quickly negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war,” Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement when asked about Orbán’s remarks on the subject.
“Also, President Trump believes European nations should be paying more of the cost of the conflict, as the U.S. has paid significantly more, which is not fair to our taxpayers,” Cheung stressed.
He recalled that his boss has said the war between Russia and Ukraine “would never have happened” under a Trump presidency.
Trump made clear on social media that he looks forward to working on these and other issues with the Hungarian prime minister as president. “Viktor is a Great Leader, respected all over the World,” Trump wrote.
GROWING SKEPTICISM
Trump has repeatedly criticized spending on Ukraine, part of growing skepticism in the Republican Party where he seeks the presidential nomination.
Republicans in the U.S. Congress have blocked billions in Ukraine aid for over a year.
Trump’s reported plan to cut off funding for Ukraine and his campaign’s push to get U.S. allies to increase their defense spending also comes amid concerns among allies about his views.
He faced criticism for saying that the U.S. wouldn’t protect a NATO nation that didn’t contribute enough defense funds and, instead, he’d “encourage” Russia “to do whatever the hell they want.”
“You don’t pay your bills; you get no protection. It’s very simple,” Trump added at a campaign event in Conway, South Carolina last month.
His remarks seemed at odds with the NATO military alliance Article 5, which says an attack on one member nation is an attack on all.
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