Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declared that Hungary will not be drawn into the war in Ukraine and that Hungarians do not support the country’s EU accession. Speaking after attending the EU summit in Copenhagen, where leaders discussed Europe’s emerging war strategy, Orbán said constant reaffirmation of Hungary’s position is necessary, which is why his government has launched a new national consultation campaign.
The prime minister argued that Brussels’ war strategy is based on a ‘mistaken assumption’ and would only deepen Europe’s involvement in the conflict. ‘Every day thousands die, hundreds of millions of euros are burned, and the risk of being dragged further into the war grows,’ he said. According to Orbán, some leaders view the war as Europe’s own, which implies sending weapons, money, and potentially soldiers. ‘This is not a debate of opinions but a matter of action,’ he warned, insisting that Hungary refuses to accept such an approach.
‘Every day thousands die, hundreds of millions of euros are burned, and the risk of being dragged further into the war grows’
Orbán emphasized that Hungarians have already made their stance clear: they do not wish to share the fate of a war-torn neighbour through EU membership. He suggested that Ukraine should be supported through agreements similar to those signed with Britain or Türkiye, rather than full accession. ‘We do not want to die for Ukraine,’ he stated.
The prime minister also drew sharp contrasts with opposition forces at home, accusing the Tisza Party and the Democratic Coalition (DK) of being willing to channel Hungarian money to Ukraine and multinational corporations, while the government focuses on supporting families. He stressed that family policy is central to Hungary’s future, pointing to tax benefits for mothers and ongoing family subsidies. Orbán rejected migration as a solution to demographic decline, arguing instead that Hungarian resources must be used to strengthen domestic families.
He framed the issue of taxation and burden-sharing as one of the most pressing national questions, highlighting that left-wing economic proposals would place heavier burdens on families while benefiting large corporations. ‘We say that the money generated by the Hungarian economy must go to Hungarian families,’ Orbán insisted.
At the same time, Orbán acknowledged that Hungary is not alone in questioning Brussels’ direction. Slovakia, led by Robert Fico, often voices similar reservations, and Orbán suggested that opposition to Brussels’ centralizing agenda is strengthening across the region. He argued that both Hungary and Slovakia are determined to defend sovereignty against EU overreach.
The prime minister closed by stressing that without constant political backing from the Hungarian people, it would be difficult to keep the country out of war. The national consultation and the new signature campaign, he said, are meant to provide this reinforcement.
Related articles:
