Speaking from Tusnádfürdő, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán described the annual event as a rare chance for those involved in public life to step back from daily politics and think in broader terms. ‘Politics is about managing everyday affairs. Here, we get to lift our heads,’ he said in an interview with Kossuth Radio.
Orbán stressed that the setting offers intellectual vitality and long-term perspective, making it a favoured destination for political minds. Reflecting on last year’s remarks, he said he will now reveal several key points of what he calls Hungary’s ‘grand strategy’.
‘Reflecting on last year’s remarks, he said he will now reveal several key points of what he calls Hungary’s “grand strategy”’
When addressing national identity, Orbán underscored that while states have borders, nations do not. Referring to the post-Trianon reality, he noted that one-third of the Hungarian nation lives beyond current borders, reinforcing why ‘the state border and the national border do not align.’ He emphasized the importance of seeing Hungarian destiny as a unified whole, calling the historic idea of Greater Hungary one he prefers.
He added that past left-wing parties failed to recognize ethnic Hungarians abroad as part of the nation, but those views have faded. Orbán cited the introduction of dual citizenship and cross-border economic, cultural, and infrastructure development as historic acts of national policy.
Regarding European cooperation, Orbán pointed to the recent Schengen breakthrough as a joint success for Hungary and Romania, noting it gave momentum to his meeting with the new Romanian Prime Minister. However, he likened Romania’s current economic woes to Hungary’s downturn at the end of the Gyurcsány era.
‘Zelenskyy rejected his diplomatic help, Orbán said, missing a then-better opportunity for peace’
On Ukraine, Orbán painted a grim picture. He recalled a visit to Kyiv a year ago, where he advised President Zelenskyy that time was not on Ukraine’s side—warning that no one had ever defeated a nuclear superpower. Zelenskyy rejected his diplomatic help, Orbán said, missing a then-better opportunity for peace.
He sharply opposed Ukraine’s push for EU membership, calling it unacceptable for a neighbour like Hungary. ‘If we admit Ukraine, this region becomes the battlefield of the world,’ he warned, calling it a ‘red line’. Instead, he said, Hungary would support a contractual partnership, not full membership.
Orbán accused Kyiv of regularly threatening Hungary, noting that Hungarian policy must remain calm and measured. He said some opposition parties, like Tisza and DK, back Ukraine’s approach, and warned against letting Ukraine integrate further into Hungary’s economic or political sphere.
‘If we admit Ukraine, this region becomes the battlefield of the world’
He also raised concerns about EU funding for Ukraine, claiming the amount is equivalent to eighteen times Hungary’s annual pension budget. ‘The average European pays the price, except for multinationals already investing in Ukraine,’ he remarked. He named agriculture as a particularly vulnerable sector, warning that farmers would lose not only subsidies but market access. He further criticized a Tisza Party expert who had compared Hungarian farmers to trained chimpanzees, calling the remark outrageous.
Commenting on the rule of law debate, Orbán dismissed it as a political weapon used by Brussels, accusing the EU of routinely violating its own principles.
Turning to culture and politics, Orbán defended Hungary’s decision to block the rap group Kneecap from entering the country, citing their antisemitic content. ‘If you come to Hungary, you follow our laws,’ he said. He criticized what he called the politicization of the arts, comparing it to US entertainers backing the Democrats. ‘This is already a campaign,’ he said, arguing that voters dislike being told what to think by celebrities.
‘He further criticized a Tisza Party expert who had compared Hungarian farmers to trained chimpanzees, calling the remark outrageous’
The Prime Minister had held a working dinner in Bucharest on Wednesday with Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan before travelling to Transylvania. Orbán is scheduled to deliver his major annual address at the Bálványos Summer Free University in Tusnádfürdő this Saturday.
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