Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission and candidate for re-election, has sharply criticised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s recent visit to Moscow, labelling it a “mission of appeasement”.
Von der Leyen’s remarks were made during a speech at the European Parliament on 18 July, where she stressed the ongoing aggression by Russia in Ukraine and the necessity for a firm Western response to the Kremlin.
“Some in Europe are playing along with this,” she stated. “Two weeks ago, the prime minister of a European Union country travelled to Moscow. This so-called ‘peace mission’ was nothing but a ‘mission of appeasement’. It was a blatant ‘mission of appeasement’,” she emphasised.
The European Commission President reminded her audience that Russia continues its advance in Ukraine, relying on a strategy of attrition and hoping for a Western capitulation. She highlighted the peril of such visits, especially in the light of subsequent events.
“Just two days after Orban’s visit to Moscow, Russia bombarded Kyiv, striking ‘Okhmatdyt’ children’s hospital and a maternity ward. This strike was no mistake. It was a signal. A chilling signal from the Kremlin to all of us,” von der Leyen declared.
She underscored that Europe’s response must be equally resolute. “No one desires peace more than Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. A just and lasting peace for a free and independent country. And Europe will support Ukraine for as long as it takes! That is our signal!” she concluded to applause from the European Parliament.
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