Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, speaking at the ‘Fight Club – The Beginning’ event in Budapest, called Ukraine’s accession to the European Union ‘the biggest threat today’ to Hungary. Addressing thousands of supporters, Orbán claimed that Hungary has long been under attack—mainly from Brussels and figures like George Soros—but now faces a more complex challenge with Ukraine entering the fray.
He criticized Ukraine as a ‘bankrupt state’ even before the war, claiming that Kyiv seeks EU membership purely for financial gain, regardless of the consequences. Orbán warned that such a move would burden EU taxpayers—particularly Hungarians—with the costs of rebuilding Ukraine, increase regional insecurity, and turn Hungary into a gateway for crime.
‘We don’t want to be dragged into their war, have our farmers ruined, or let our money flow through Brussels to Ukraine,’ Orbán said, warning that Ukraine’s EU entry would harm Hungary’s economy and security.
‘Ukraine’s EU entry would harm Hungary’s economy and security’
He also accused the EU and pro-Ukraine Hungarian opposition parties—whom he dubbed the ‘Tisza–Dobrev coalition’—of valuing foreign interests over Hungarian sovereignty. He claimed this coalition is being supported by a coordinated disinformation campaign, foreign funding, and even intelligence operations, all aimed at destabilizing Hungary.
Calling for resistance, Orbán said Hungary must defend itself against becoming a ‘colony again’, stating: ‘They get the coffee, we’re left with the grounds.’
He called the upcoming 2025 elections the first ‘battle’ in a new fight, led by his newly formed group of ‘digital freedom fighters’—a growing online movement he said would number 100,000 members by January. Orbán urged each current member to recruit one more person within a week.
Reiterating themes from previous speeches, Orbán positioned his party as defenders of national identity, traditional values, and economic self-determination. He contrasted this with what he described as a foreign-backed opposition, accusing them of undermining Hungary from within, promoting gender ideology, and working to eliminate social benefits like the 13th-month pension.
Orbán also reacted to the political retirement of Ferenc Gyurcsány and the withdrawal of the Momentum party from the elections, calling them victories for national conservatism. He warned other opposition parties—like Jobbik—that aligning with ‘globalist’ forces for power would only lead to their political downfall.
‘In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love’
He concluded with a call to unity and strength, asserting that truth alone is not enough—Hungarians must also wield power to protect their country. ‘In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love,’ Orbán said, quoting a well-known maxim. ‘We are many, we are strong, and we will win.’
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