Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is once again at odds with the EU, refusing to back a joint statement from 26 European leaders pledging continued support for Ukraine. With US financial aid no longer guaranteed, Orbán argues that Europe simply can’t afford to bankroll the war.
“The U.S. is pulling out—so why does anyone think the EU can see this war through?” he said in a radio interview on March 7, warning that Europe’s current path would “ruin” the continent.
Unlike other EU leaders scrambling to ramp up defense spending, Orbán insists the focus should be on peace talks—particularly those pushed by Donald Trump. Hungary has refused to send weapons to Ukraine and maintained close ties with Moscow since the war began.
At home, Orbán is launching a “public consultation” on Ukraine’s EU accession, a move that doubles as a political maneuver ahead of Hungary’s 2026 elections. With economic struggles and a rising opposition, he’s betting that skepticism over Ukraine will resonate with voters.
Meanwhile, Trump’s shifting stance on NATO and Ukraine has rattled European leaders. He’s made it clear—if Europe won’t pay for its own defense, the U.S. won’t foot the bill. The EU now finds itself at a crossroads: double down on military spending or accept a future where Washington no longer has its back.
