In a highly engaging and thought-provoking statement made on official radio today, Friday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has decisively declared that the European Union’s current strategy regarding the war in Ukraine has “failed.” He insists that there is an urgent need for the Union to devise an alternative plan as, according to him, the Ukrainians will not emerge victorious in the ongoing war with Russia.
Speaking from Brussels, on the sidelines of an EU summit, Orban highlighted a “major battle” concerning the support for Ukraine. He openly questioned the rationale behind Hungary sending taxpayer money to support Ukraine, showcasing a stance that invites both attention and analysis.
In December, the European Union is set to make a critical decision concerning the revision of its budget for the 2021-2027 period, a colossal amount standing at 1.1 trillion euros ($1.2 trillion). The budget is already under significant strain due to the emergency expenditures incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic and the financial implications following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The executive body of the Union has proposed that member countries contribute additional funds to the communal treasury to provide 50 billion euros to Ukraine, with an additional 15 billion euros to be allocated for immigration purposes. Another proposition includes allocating 20 billion euros for Ukraine in the form of military aid.
Orban, voicing his disapproval, stated, “We found that this proposal was not correct; it was not suitable to serve as a basis for serious negotiations, hence we rejected it. There was a major battle, especially regarding the Ukrainian issue.” He emphasized that the bigger problem lies in the failure of Brussels’ strategy to send money and military aid to Ukraine to aid in their fight against Russia.
“Today, everyone knows this, but they do not dare to publicly admit that this strategy has failed. It is clear that this will not succeed… The Ukrainians will not win on the battlefield,” he clarified, calling for an urgent need to formulate an alternative plan and to assess its financial implications.
“Once we know the cost, we can share this burden among ourselves,” he added. Orban also mentioned the necessity for a change in leadership in Brussels in the next year’s European elections, highlighting his ongoing clash with Brussels over the past 13 years, with critics arguing that his policies have led to the erosion of democratic values in Hungary.
This statement from the Hungarian Prime Minister sheds light on the complex dynamics within the European Union and raises pertinent questions about the future strategy towards the Ukraine conflict, demanding attention from political analysts and international observers alike.
