Orban Asserts Asia's Future Dominance and Criticizes Western Tactics

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claims Russia's leadership is 'hyper rational' and predicts Ukraine will never join the EU or NATO. He envisions a future shift in global power towards Asia and Russia, highlighting these regions' growing influence. Orban's controversial remarks were delivered at a festival in Romania.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared on Saturday that Russia's leadership was 'hyper rational' and predicted that Ukraine would never join the European Union or NATO. Speaking at a festival in Baile Tusnad, Romania, Orban projected a future shift in global power from the 'irrational' West towards Asia and Russia.

'In the next long decades, maybe centuries, Asia will be the dominant centre of the world,' Orban stated, citing China, India, Pakistan, and Indonesia as emerging superpowers. He mentioned that Western policies had pushed Russia into aligning with these Asian nations.

Orban, who has promoted closer ties with Beijing and Moscow despite Western criticism, contrasted Russia's 'rational and predictable' stance with what he described as the West's 'weakness.' He praised Russia's adaptability to Western sanctions and its international soft power through opposition to LGBTQ+ rights. Additionally, Orban asserted that Ukraine's aspirations for EU and NATO membership were unattainable, urging the EU to redefine itself as an economic and defense project.

(With inputs from agencies.)