Hungary’s Orban Calls Salvini a 'Hero' and Trump a 'President of Peace'

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Friday his government will pursue a policy of "economic neutrality" as the world economy splits into a Western and Eastern bloc, and that the European continent is on a "suicide path" in its response to the growth of Asian economies.

In an interview with Hungary’s state broadcaster, from Ohrid in North Macedonia, Orban said developments in the world economy were "very similar" to conditions during the Cold War, and insisted that Hungary must maintain good economic ties with all countries, regardless of their geopolitical or ideological position.

"There will be a lot of pressure on all countries to choose which half of the world economy they want to belong to," Orban said.

"Our economic neutrality means that we must avoid this pressure and defend ourselves. Hungary cannot join any bloc or any economic bloc. Hungary's interest is to have lively, strong, deep trade and economic relations with both emerging economic blocs.”

During the interview, Orban also praised Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, saying he is "our hero" for his hard-line approach to immigration.

"We would need European politicians like him, who want to stop illegal migration at any cost, even at personal risk” Orban said.

Salvini faces criminal charges for actions he took during his time as interior minister in Italy, when he prevented a ship carrying more than 100 migrants from landing in Italy in 2019.

Prosecutors in Italy have requested a six-year prison sentence for Salvini, and If convicted, he could be barred from holding government office.

Orban also praised former U.S. President Donald Trump , saying that elections in November would determine whether the world "would continue on a path toward war" or return to a period of peace.

Orban has openly declared his support for Trump in the upcoming U.S. election and on Friday called him "the man of peace."

Orban suggested that those supporting the candidacy of Democrat Kamala Harris were "pro-war".

“The peace-loving, peace-seeking part of the world wishes the man of peace to be president of the United States again. But the pro-war people, not just in America, all over the world, hope for the success of the Democrats” Orban said.