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Hungary's Orban: Good Relations With Russia Are Necessity

Associated Press

   BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - Hungary's prime minster said Wednesday after
   hosting a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that good
   relations with Russia are a necessity because of his country's
   geographical location.

   Analysts see Prime Minister Viktor Orban as Putin's closest ally in the
   European Union and Hungary has long advocated for the end of sanctions
   against Russia for actions in Ukraine, saying they hurt the Hungarian
   economy. Trade between Hungary and Russia increased in 2018 for the
   first time since sanctions were put in place.

   "It's a simple geographical fact: No country can change its address,"
   Orban said during a news conference with Putin about Hungary's need to
   cooperate with Russia. "Every country is located where God created it.
   For Hungary, it means being in a Moscow-Berlin-Istanbul triangle."

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