Hungary’s EU Minister: Ukraine Should Serve as a Buffer Zone Between Russia and Europe

Ukraine could potentially serve as a buffer zone between Russia and the European Union, but only if the interests of all parties, including Moscow, are strictly regulated and respected, Hungary’s EU minister, Janos Boka, told The Financial Times in an interview.

“Ukraine can only function as a buffer zone if there is a consensus among global actors on what is possible and what is not possible on the territory of Ukraine. Otherwise, it will be a conflict zone, not a buffer zone,” Boka stated. He warned that any action taken in Ukraine without Russian President Vladimir Putin’s approval could escalate tensions rather than stabilize the region.

Boka further emphasized that Ukraine’s role as a buffer state would be most effective without its integration into Europe’s defense structures. “We do not see the security of Europe in the integration of Ukraine into defense systems, but we see the need for a buffer zone between Russia and European defense structures, which serves the interests of both Russia and Europe,” he said.