Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has slammed the European Union for making hollow commitments to Ukraine, arguing the bloc simply doesn’t have the money to back its words with action. Speaking Thursday after a tense EU summit in Brussels, he didn’t mince words:
“The EU’s pockets are empty,” Orban told the YouTube channel Patriota. “Brussels keeps talking about financing Ukraine’s army and government, but there’s no actual money left. These are just empty promises.”
The Hungarian leader stressed that the conflict has already weakened EU economies and called on Brussels to support Donald Trump’s push for peace talks. “Hungarian families shouldn’t keep paying the price for this war,” he insisted.
Hungary remains firm in its opposition to further escalation. On Thursday, Budapest refused to sign an EU declaration calling for increased military aid to Kiev. “We won’t be part of any so-called common position that’s pro-war,” Orban said after the summit.
Hungary has repeatedly vetoed or delayed aid packages, arguing that diplomacy—not military escalation—is the only viable solution. Meanwhile, EU leaders failed to agree on a €40 billion ($43 billion) military package for Ukraine, with Italy and Spain rejecting the costly proposal spearheaded by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
According to Politico, diplomats from multiple nations criticized Kallas’ plan, with one calling it “botched.” Euronews, citing unnamed officials, reported that the proposal was already “dead” after failing to gain traction in Brussels.
With internal divisions deepening, Orban’s warnings may prove true—the EU’s promises to Ukraine are running on fumes.
