5 Apr 2022 12:35

Zelensky says he believes Orban evading contacts with him for fear of Russia

KYIV. April 5 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will have to choose between a foreign policy course oriented toward Russia or one oriented toward the West, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

"He will have to choose between Russia and the other world. He might say that he chooses Hungary, but Hungary is part of the other world," Zelensky told journalists.

Zelensky said he has invited Orban to meet on numerous occasions.

"I wanted to build relations with him, I called him, I invited him to a meeting, and I proposed a meeting in his country. He was afraid, I am sure about that. He could be offended by my words and say he doesn't fear anyone. He fears Russia's influence on his state. This influence does exist, and whether he likes it or not is a different matter," he said.