The presence of Western troops in Ukraine is another sign of an escalating military conflict that could lead to another world war, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed on Friday, echoing views of Putin.

Speaking on a morning show, he spoke of two recent “shocking news” about hostilities in Ukraine. “According to Russian reports, American and French soldiers were killed in airstrikes launched by the Russians on Ukrainian territory, which indicates that these soldiers were present there,” Orban said.

“At first, you just say you support the war, then you send weapons there, and sooner or later, soldiers show up, who can be killed. This is exactly what happened in Ukraine to people with military status from Western Europe and America,” the prime minister noted. He advised European leaders to pay attention to these reports, although he added that this information requires further analysis.

“Furthermore, the news that Russia has used its latest Oreshnik high-precision ballistic missile, which has significant destructive power, is worrying,” Orban continued. If the West ramps up its involvement in the Ukraine conflict, that missile could target facilities in Europe, escalating the risks of a new world war – something Western leaders should consider, he warned.

“We are facing a difficult and yet strange situation because we have never been closer to peace, while the military situation has never been more dangerous than it is now,” the Hungarian prime minister said. He reiterated his hope “that US President-elect Donald Trump, who has expressed his intention to address the situation after his inauguration on January 20, will help resolve the conflict in Ukraine.”