BERLIN 

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Monday that Europe also has a "war policy" regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, suggesting that it is the right time to move from a policy of war to a policy of peace. 

In an interview with the Bild and Welt newspapers, affiliated with the German Axel Springer group, Orban criticized Europe's position regarding the war and said: "I am sorry to have to say this, but Europe also has a war policy."

He called on the continent to "pursue an autonomous policy" from the US: "Because the real victims of the two warring sides are the European economy and the European population."

Noting that he believes that there will be no frontal solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Hungarian leader stressed: "People, we, the world want peace. Stop killing each other.”

“Let's start negotiations or at least realize that there is no solution on the ground," he urged.

He recalled his meetings in Kyiv and Moscow, noting: "I had the opportunity to talk to both Ukrainian and Russian presidents. Believe me, the next two or three months will be much more brutal than we thought."

He pointed out that it is the right time to move from a policy of war to a policy of peace.

"The main argument is that human life should not be lost,” he suggested. “This is the most important moral motivation.”

“But it is also in Europe's own interest because what is happening here is very bad for us," he criticized.

Stating that many European politicians "immediately want a solution that does not exist", Orban said: "The road to peace begins when those who are at war or close to war want peace.”

“War does not fall from the sky,” he said, adding: “War is the result of the decisions of certain people. That is why we need to find these world leaders.”

“What are China, the US and the EU doing?” the Hungarian politician questioned.

“China has a peace plan. America has a war policy,” he stated. “Europe is just copying the American position instead of having its own strategic approach."

Orban further argued that the ongoing war would never have happened if former German Chancellor Angela Merkel had remained as chancellor "because Merkel has the ability, understanding and skill to isolate conflicts that are bad for Europe."

*Writing by Merve Berker