US economist: Orbán only EU leader ‘to see Ukraine situation realistically’

Sachs, a professor of Columbia University, said Orbán “grasped” that the war in Ukraine was “pointless and unnecessary”, brought about by the enlargement of NATO. “Unlike other European leaders, Orbán also recognises that Russia will not concede defeat on the battleground without escalating the conflict into a nuclear war,” he said.

To stop the war, the US should pledge not to enlarge NATO with Ukraine and Georgia, and Ukraine should declare itself a neutral state. The UN Security Council and states like Germany, Turkey and Brazil should guarantee maintaining the peace treaty, he said.

Further, NATO should “strictly curb” weapon deliveries to Ukraine, which in turn should receive a timeline to join the EU, he said. Sanctions should be withdrawn, he added.