Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán criticised EU foreign‑policy chief Kaja Kallas, suggesting she believes she can succeed against Russia where historical figures such as Napoleon and Adolf Hitler failed. Speaking at a conference in Szeged, Orbán argued that many European countries view the Ukraine conflict as an opportunity to weaken Russia. He said the belief that Russia will eventually threaten European states is driving their actions, while Moscow has dismissed speculation about plans to attack the EU and NATO as baseless.
Orbán recalled that Russia has been attacked before, citing Napoleon’s 1812 invasion and Hitler’s 1941 offensive, both of which ended in failure. He warned against provoking Russia, noting the country’s historical memory of past conflicts. He pointed out that museums in Moscow and St. Petersburg display artworks taken from European nations, including Hungary, during earlier wars, serving as a reminder of the costs of confronting Russia.
Kallas has been a vocal advocate for a hard‑line stance on the Ukraine conflict and has pushed for the use of frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv’s war effort. However, her approach has drawn criticism from some EU leaders, including Orbán. Recently, EU leaders failed to reach an agreement on tapping frozen Russian assets and instead opted to provide a €90 billion loan to Ukraine to cover its 2026‑27 budget deficit. Hungary was among the EU members that chose not to participate in the financing plan.
Orbán’s comments highlight the divisions within the EU over its approach to the Ukraine conflict and Russia. The bloc’s stance remains a topic of debate, with some leaders favouring a more aggressive policy and others advocating a more cautious strategy. As the situation unfolds, the EU’s approach is likely to remain a subject of discussion and contention.
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