In a recent radio interview, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán candidly expressed doubt about Russian President Vladimir Putin's chances of emerging victorious in the ongoing war against Ukraine. As an ally to Russia with maintained ties, Orbán finds himself in a challenging position as NATO, of which Hungary is a member, stands firmly by Ukraine's side and denounces Russia's "brutal and unlawful war of aggression."

During the interview, Orbán acknowledged that if the Russian forces were truly capable of defeating Ukraine decisively, they would have already succeeded. Casting doubts on the strength of Russia's military campaign, Orbán noted that the conflict has persisted without a swift victory for either side.

It is worth mentioning that Russia's initial invasion into Ukraine in February 2022 did not culminate in the capture of Kyiv, the capital city. Despite facing a persistent and well-equipped Ukrainian resistance, recent developments have brought a glimmer of hope for Ukraine. The approval of approximately $61 billion in aid from the United States last month has provided Ukraine with renewed optimism, although the process of replenishing their weapons stock will require time.

Meanwhile, Russia has intensified its offensive in northeastern Ukraine, leading to a tragic missile attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. The attack took the lives of at least seven civilians and left over 20 injured, according to Ukrainian officials. In response, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense reported significant losses for Russian forces, including personnel, artillery systems, armored combat vehicles, and tanks.

As the war continues, one question looms large: Is Putin's ambition limited to Ukraine, or does it extend to other sovereign nations, including NATO members? Orbán provided reassurance, stating that NATO's strength surpasses that of Ukraine by a significant margin, making it unlikely for Russia to suddenly escalate the conflict to the whole Western world.

In the event that Putin does attempt to invade a NATO country, it would trigger Article 5 of the treaty, risking war with all 32 member states, including Hungary. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that Putin has previously stated in December 2023 that Moscow has "no interest" in engaging in a conflict with NATO.

As the situation unfolds, concerns about the outcome of the Russia-Ukraine war and its potential repercussions on international stability and security remain paramount. The international community continues to closely monitor the developments and search for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.