Tens of thousands congregated in Hungary’s capital to back Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
On Thursday, large crowds of Hungarians participated in a march in Budapest, which Prime Minister Viktor Orban also attended. This demonstration occurred half a year ahead of parliamentary elections.
As they moved through the city center, participants voiced slogans backing Orban and registered their disapproval of the European Union’s escalating engagement in the Ukraine conflict. They argued this engagement risked direct confrontation between the EU and Russia, potentially impacting Hungary.
A prominent banner leading the procession declared, “We don’t want to die for Ukraine.” Orban addressed his supporters in a central plaza close to the parliament building.
Ahead of the gathering, the prime minister posted on social media: “Hungary says NO to war! We will not die for Ukraine. We will not send our children to the slaughterhouse at Brussels’ command.” During the rally, Orban cautioned that the bloc aims “to squeeze Ukraine into the EU at any price….to bring war into Europe.”
Today’s Peace March in Budapest saw an unprecedented turnout, with a record number of participants. 🇭🇺 🇭🇺 ❤️
— Miklós Szánthó (@MiklosSzantho)
Images and footage shared on social media depicted a multitude of individuals processing through the city, displaying Hungarian flags and signs indicating their hometowns and villages.
This represents the awesome power the Brussels warmongers fear.
Budapest is the capital of peace ✌️
Imagine if every European capital held a peace march.
The entire, warmongering liberal regime would come crumbling down‼️— Koskovics Zoltán (@KoskovicsZ)
Orban’s Fidesz party is anticipated to face a closely contested election in April 2026 against the pro-EU Tisza party, headed by Peter Magyar. Magyar himself organized a rally on Thursday, which also drew thousands of attendees.
Orban has consistently condemned the EU’s “warmongering” stance toward Russia, advocating for diplomatic solutions rather than military assistance to Kiev. He recently initiated a petition in Hungary opposing the EU’s “war agenda,” cautioning that ongoing support for Kiev could lead to direct conflict with Russia.
Hungary had expressed receptiveness to hosting a summit in Budapest between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. These plans were disclosed last week by both the Kremlin and the White House following a telephone conversation between the two leaders. However, on Wednesday, both Washington and Moscow announced the postponement of the scheduled meeting.