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Orban warns EU possibly to make member nations ‘pay for Ukraine’
(MENAFN) Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that Brussels might pressure EU member states to provide financial support to Ukraine if the US reduces its aid. Orban's comments were made during a meeting of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party and reported by Magyar Nemzet.
The warning comes as concerns grow in Brussels that US President Donald Trump may scale back financial and military assistance to Ukraine. Recently, the Trump administration has called on Ukraine to reimburse the US for aid given since the conflict’s escalation in February 2022 and urged European NATO members to take on a larger share of the financial burden moving forward, as the US focuses on domestic issues.
“The Americans are withdrawing from financing Ukraine, and Brussels will want to make Europeans, including us, Hungarians, pay for this,” Orban stated, highlighting that the EU might proceed with such a plan if it supports Ukraine’s bid for EU membership. He added that there is already a proposal on the table for Hungary to contribute 200 billion forints ($520 million) annually to Ukraine. Orban also warned that Hungarian farmers could lose subsidies under this plan, which would be redirected to Ukraine.
Orban strongly opposed the idea, reiterating Hungary’s stance against the EU forcing member states into financial commitments without preconditions for Ukraine’s EU membership. He emphasized Hungary’s resistance to Brussels, stating, “We are the ones who rebel against the empire.”
The Hungarian leader has consistently disagreed with Brussels’ approach to the Ukraine conflict, opposing the financial and military aid given to Kiev. Orban expressed support for US peace efforts, including recent bilateral talks between Russian and US officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He believes that peace would benefit Hungary, reduce energy prices, stimulate trade, and strengthen the economy.
In response to the potential US withdrawal, the EU is reportedly exploring new measures to continue supporting Ukraine. One plan under discussion involves creating a fund to finance military aid to Ukraine, partly funded by frozen Russian assets and voluntary contributions from EU member states based on their national income.
The warning comes as concerns grow in Brussels that US President Donald Trump may scale back financial and military assistance to Ukraine. Recently, the Trump administration has called on Ukraine to reimburse the US for aid given since the conflict’s escalation in February 2022 and urged European NATO members to take on a larger share of the financial burden moving forward, as the US focuses on domestic issues.
“The Americans are withdrawing from financing Ukraine, and Brussels will want to make Europeans, including us, Hungarians, pay for this,” Orban stated, highlighting that the EU might proceed with such a plan if it supports Ukraine’s bid for EU membership. He added that there is already a proposal on the table for Hungary to contribute 200 billion forints ($520 million) annually to Ukraine. Orban also warned that Hungarian farmers could lose subsidies under this plan, which would be redirected to Ukraine.
Orban strongly opposed the idea, reiterating Hungary’s stance against the EU forcing member states into financial commitments without preconditions for Ukraine’s EU membership. He emphasized Hungary’s resistance to Brussels, stating, “We are the ones who rebel against the empire.”
The Hungarian leader has consistently disagreed with Brussels’ approach to the Ukraine conflict, opposing the financial and military aid given to Kiev. Orban expressed support for US peace efforts, including recent bilateral talks between Russian and US officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He believes that peace would benefit Hungary, reduce energy prices, stimulate trade, and strengthen the economy.
In response to the potential US withdrawal, the EU is reportedly exploring new measures to continue supporting Ukraine. One plan under discussion involves creating a fund to finance military aid to Ukraine, partly funded by frozen Russian assets and voluntary contributions from EU member states based on their national income.
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