Orban says Ukraine can never win war against Russia

Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orban, said that in his view, Ukraine has no chance of victory, and that financial aid from the EU to Kyiv is becoming an excessive burden for the union.

Orban stressed that spending of this kind, in his opinion, negatively impacts the EU’s economy and raises questions about the rationale for further contributions.

Financial and political disagreements within EU

The publication reminded that Budapest has already blocked the extension of sanctions against Russia and repeatedly stalled decisions on Ukrainian aid packages.

Hungary also promoted the idea of loosening US-imposed restrictions on Russian oil for major energy companies.

The prime minister noted that European leaders, he asserts, want to continue military support for Kyiv, viewing it as necessary to strengthen their positions ahead of possible negotiations.

However, he insists that that approach is, in his view, wrong and that the conditions now favour Moscow.

Assessment of negotiation prospects

Orban expressed his expectation that the key role in future agreements will be played by the US and Russia, and that Europe, he said, should build its own diplomatic channel.

He explained that first, Washington may hold talks with Moscow, and then the EU must define its positions and attempt to align them with the American side.

Controversial US deal

Separately, the publication noted that during a visit to the White House, the Hungarian leader secured a deal for a temporary exemption from some American energy sanctions.

The US administration clarified that the exemption is valid for one year, while the prime minister claimed the agreement will remain in effect until a change of government in Hungary.

Vision for Europe's future

Orban emphasized that he views the Ukraine issue through the lens of European, and primarily Hungarian interests.

He believes that in the future any deal with Ukraine should include elements of border stabilisation and the possible creation of a security zone.

He also stated that without major changes, Russia, in his assessment, will continue advancing in eastern Ukraine, particularly into the Donetsk region.

At the same time, he expressed confidence that Russia will not attack EU or NATO countries, because, in his view, it lacks sufficient resources to expand the conflict.

Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orban, has said that talks of a possible Russian attack on EU or NATO states are, in his view, overly dramatic and appear more like exaggeration than a real threat.

Orban is of the view that a peaceful settlement of the war in Ukraine is only possible with external players involved, because, in his opinion, neither side is showing readiness to move the conflict toward an end on its own.