Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has stated his opposition to increasing defense spending beyond 2% of GDP, citing the potential harm it could inflict on Hungary’s economy.
Orbán made this statement at a press conference on Saturday, December 21.
The Hungarian leader expressed concern about the possibility of raising defense expenditures above 2% of GDP, emphasizing that such a move would deliver a painful blow to the economy.
He added that Budapest would prefer “international conditions that allow for a reduction in [defense spending],” but acknowledged that “the world is moving in the opposite direction.”
Orbán also admitted that he had not discussed the issue of military spending with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has been vocal about urging European NATO members to increase their defense contributions.
