Hungarian Prime Minister Orban met with Turkish President Erdogan in Budapest and discussed the conflict in Ukraine. Simo, head of the non-governmental organization "Hungarian Peace Circle", commented to a TASS reporter that Hungary and Turkey share the same position on the conflict in Ukraine. The two leaders realize that the conflict cannot end without meeting some of Russia's demands in the security sphere. The report quoted Simo as saying: "Hungarian Prime Minister Orban and Turkish President Erdogan know that it is impossible to end the Ukrainian conflict without meeting at least some of Russia's security requirements." He said that both politicians are looking forward to future, and try to determine what would happen "if Ukraine became neutral and NATO suffered a defeat as a result." When asked why the meeting between Orban and Erdogan was particularly important, the expert said: “Ahead of President Putin’s planned visit to Turkey at the end of August, Erdogan is very concerned about whether Orban will connect him with Putin. Part of the possible special agreement is seen as a security threat. Orban believes that Russia does not threaten Hungary.” Simo reminded, "Erdogan saw that if Russia's demands were not met, not only would the conflict in Ukraine not be stopped, but the Black Sea grain export agreement would not be restored. Neither NATO member country wants to take its own economic risks in relations with Russia." Risking their own interests, they have acted more aggressively than other Western powers in order to reach a deal with Moscow."
