BUDAPEST, Dec  21, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban 
on Thursday insisted on calling Russia's invasion of Ukraine a "military 
operation", mirroring language used by the Kremlin.

       "It is a military operation... as long as there is no declaration of war 
between the two countries," the nationalist leader told reporters during his 
annual press conference.

       "When the Russians declare war on Ukraine, then it will be war," he said.
       "In a strict sense, let us rejoice as long as there is no war. If there is 
war there is general mobilisation and I wouldn't wish that on anybody," he 
added.

       Orban was asked why he described the war as a "military operation" during 
his October meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing.

       Orban is the only EU leader who has maintained close ties with the Kremlin 
following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

       Orban and Putin met in Beijing on October 17 to discuss energy cooperation.
       Earlier this month, Orban vetoed 50 billion euros ($55 billion) in EU aid 
for Ukraine.

       He abstained from a decision to open talks with Kyiv on joining the bloc, 
declaring he was opposed to it but was convinced by fellow EU leaders not to 
block the decision.