Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the European Union cannot afford to fund Ukraine's military efforts, especially since US financial assistance is no longer secure. His statement came after the leaders of 26 EU countries signed a joint declaration in support of Kiev - without Hungary's participation, reports „Reuters“, reports News.bg.
Orban, who maintains close ties with Moscow and is considered an ally of former US President Donald Trump, announced that the Hungarian government would launch a „public consultation“ on Ukraine's possible accession to the EU. The process will begin in the coming weeks, in the context of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Hungary in early 2026.
Since the beginning of the war, Orbán has refused to provide military assistance to Ukraine and has regularly blocked or delayed European initiatives related to support for Kiev. He has called for an “immediate ceasefire and peace talks” and criticized the EU’s strategy to increase military support.
The Hungarian prime minister has also expressed doubts about the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia and stressed that Europe’s security should not be tied to the conflict in Ukraine. In his opinion, the economic and energy interests of member states should be a priority.
Despite pressure from Brussels and NATO allies, Orbán remains one of the few European leaders who openly criticizes the EU’s sanctions policy against Russia and questions the long-term strategy for supporting Ukraine.