Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban issued a stern warning to the European Union over its stance on Ukraine, stating that the EU’s current approach could lead to a breaking point.
Speaking on Kossuth Radio, Orban emphasised that Hungary’s position is to adhere to NATO’s original mission as a defence alliance, criticising the EU’s involvement in military matters without having military capabilities of its own.
“The EU is not a military organisation and therefore does not have military capabilities, but the Member States do,” Orban said.
“And the Member States don’t want to intervene in the war under a European umbrella, they want to give money under a European umbrella.”
He added that Hungary’s goal is to ensure that European leaders do not send Hungarian funds to Ukraine, suggesting that these resources are needed domestically.
The Hungarian prime minister also highlighted the contrasting views within Europe, pointing out that while many European governments support the war in Ukraine, Hungary, along with the Vatican, advocates for peace.
“The Vatican is also on the side of peace. So there are pro-war governments in Europe, there is a pro-peace government in Hungary, and there is the Vatican position, which while not insignificant, has more intellectual and moral strength, but politically were must hold out because I expect, and I don’t want to hide this either, that this pro-war European thinking will crack, because there are democracies in Europe after all, and it is becoming clear to more and more people that there is no solution to this conflict on the battlefield,” he said.
“Diplomacy must take back the lead, a ceasefire must be achieved, negotiations must begin, and as little money as possible must be given to Ukraine at a time when we are also facing very serious economic difficulties in Europe,” Orban added.
The Hungarian leader suggested that European citizens might eventually pressure their governments to change their pro-war stance. He noted that similar public sentiment led to a shift in attitudes toward migration in the past.
“It was the same with migration. We were alone once, but in the end, people pushed their governments into a stance against migration, and I think people will urge their governments, which are still pro-war today, towards peace in the same way.”
Orban’s critical view of the EU’s leadership was further amplified in a speech during a closed-door event in Budapest, where he addressed his Fidesz party members, opening his campaign for the upcoming EU elections. He called for a change in Brussels, indicating that the current leadership should be replaced.
“The leadership in Brussels has to go,” Orban stated. “It does not deserve another chance. There must be change in Brussels.”
Orban’s speech, which lasted about 15 minutes, touched upon familiar themes, including his opposition to immigration, hostility toward LGBTQ+ rights, and criticism of the EU for attempting to impose its will on Hungary. His party’s campaign event was notably short, lasting only around 45 minutes, with independent media excluded from attendance.
As Hungary gears up for the EU elections, set for June 6-9, Orban’s manifesto predicts a significant resurgence of right-wing forces. The manifesto claims that if the EU’s current leadership continues, “Europe will be plunged into war, migration waves will destroy European nations, and gender propaganda will ruin the future of our children.”
