Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has launched a petition against the European Union’s stance on the Ukraine‑Russia conflict, warning that the bloc’s continued support for Ukraine is leading to a direct confrontation with Russia. Orban, who has long criticized the EU’s approach, announced the petition at a farmers’ market in Budapest and urged every Hungarian to join the drive and take part in a peace march on 23 October.
The prime minister said Europe has a “war plan” that involves going to war against Russia and providing unlimited support to Ukraine, emphasizing that Hungary must avoid becoming entangled in the conflict. His comments follow an informal European Council summit in Denmark, where EU leaders discussed increasing military aid to Ukraine and creating an EU “drone wall” to counter the perceived Russian threat.
The EU has maintained that Western aid to Ukraine must continue, recently adopting the €800 billion ReArm Europe programme and a NATO pledge for members to raise defence spending to 5 % of GDP. NATO also approved the $500 million Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative, allowing the United States to supply weapons to Ukraine while European members cover the costs.
Russia has dismissed claims that it poses a threat, calling them “nonsense” used by Western governments to justify soaring military budgets, and warned that continued aid to Ukraine only prolongs the war. The outcome of Orban’s petition is uncertain, but the results could be presented at the upcoming EU leaders’ summit in late October.
The Hungarian government’s move highlights divisions within the EU over the Ukraine‑Russia conflict. While some member states, like Hungary, call for a more cautious approach, others push for increased military aid to Ukraine. The situation remains complex, with Russia warning of the dangers of escalation and the EU maintaining its commitment to supporting Ukraine. As the conflict continues, the EU’s approach will likely face further scrutiny and debate.
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