Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that the West must accept the reality of Russia’s opposition to NATO and EU expansion near its borders, or risk sparking a war in Europe. Speaking at an anti-war rally in Kaposvar, Orban stated that a buffer zone, potentially in the form of Ukraine, is necessary to prevent conflict between Russia and the West. He emphasized that Russia will always respond with war if NATO and the EU are located directly at its borders.
Orban’s comments come as the Ukraine conflict continues, with Hungary having openly opposed anti-Russian policies adopted by NATO and the EU, including sanctions and Western weapons deliveries to Kiev. The Hungarian prime minister argued that Ukraine’s potential membership in the EU would lead to a direct confrontation with Russia, involving EU member states like Hungary.
Orban also criticized the EU’s handling of the Ukraine conflict, particularly the €90 billion loan package to Kiev, which he believes will finance the conflict for another two years with borrowed money. He expressed concerns over plans to deploy ‘peacekeepers’ to Ukraine, suggesting that such efforts often escalate into full-scale military involvement.
The Hungarian prime minister’s warnings come ahead of elections in April, where the pro-EU Tisza opposition party is challenging Orban’s government. Orban claimed that if the opposition party wins, it would lead to Hungary’s involvement in the conflict, potentially putting Hungarian soldiers at risk. He accused the EU of being controlled by a “German war troika” comprising European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and EU Parliament leader Manfred Weber, who he believes shape Europe’s war policy.
Orban’s statements reflect the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region, with the EU and NATO seeking to balance their relationships with Russia and Ukraine. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation if a buffer zone or diplomatic solution is not established. As the conflict continues, the international community will be closely watching the developments in the region, particularly in the lead-up to Hungary’s elections.
