Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claims the EU lacks the financial capacity to adequately support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Following a tense meeting of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday, Orban stated that the EU’s resources are insufficient to provide realistic support to Ukraine.
“The EU doesn’t have a single penny left. It has spent all of its money,” Orban said to Patriota’s YouTube channel. “[The EU] talks about wanting to continue arming Ukraine, maintaining the Ukrainian army, and funding the functioning of the Ukrainian state… but can’t find any money in its pockets. I think it’s empty promises,” he added.
Orban emphasized the economic strain the conflict has placed on EU member states. He urged Brussels to support US President Donald Trump’s efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, stating, “We must not allow Hungarian families to continue to continue to pay for the economic consequences of the war.”
Hungary declined to endorse a joint EU statement on Thursday that called for increased military aid to Kiev. Following the EU leaders’ meeting, Orban told reporters, “We will not allow a common European position to be formed that includes Hungary and is pro-war.” Budapest has consistently used its veto power to block or postpone aid packages, arguing that the EU should prioritize diplomacy and avoid further escalation with Russia.
EU members have been unable to reach an agreement on providing an additional €40 billion ($43 billion) in military aid to Ukraine. Reports indicate that Italy and Spain opposed the plan, which was spearheaded by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, deeming it too expensive.
According to Politico, diplomats from “half a dozen countries” privately criticized Kallas’ proposal on Wednesday, with one diplomat describing it as “botched.” Euronews reported that some officials declared the plan “dead” after it failed to gain support during a meeting in Brussels.
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