EU sanctions on Russia have "backfired": Hungary PM Orban

Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned on Monday that Hungary should get ready for a protracted conflict in neighboring Ukraine and harshly criticized the European Union's sanctions against Moscow for having "backfired" by increasing energy costs. Long at odds with the EU over some of his policies that were seen as anti-democratic in Brussels, Orban advocated a ceasefire to put an end to the conflict and said that the sanctions against Russia were hurting Europe's economy. After being reelected in April for the fourth time in a row, Orban now has to contend with rising inflation, declining consumer confidence, and the possibility of a recession in 2019. In reference to the Italian election on Sunday, which appears to have resulted in Giorgia Meloni being the country's most right-wing leader since World War Two, he told parliament that it was not surprising that governments were crumbling across Europe. "We can safely say that as a result of the sanctions, European people have become poorer, while Russia has not fallen to its knees," Orban said. "This weapon has backfired, with the sanctions Europe has shot itself in the foot." "We are waiting for an answer, the entire Europe is waiting for an answer from Brussels on how long we will keep doing this," he said, adding it was also time to discuss the sanctions with the United States. With a total of 32 significant initiatives expected to be financed using EU cash, Orban said his administration has altered its long-term energy strategy with the goal of overhauling the electricity system and extending the lifespan of the Paks nuclear power station. "If the Brussels bureaucrats do not give us this money, which Hungary is eligible for, then we will get the necessary funds from other financial sources," Orban said, adding Hungary had started talks with the EU and "other international partners". He did not elaborate.