Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán delivered a scathing rebuke of the European Union on Friday, July 25th, accusing Brussels of endangering Hungary’s national security and economic stability by pressing ahead with plans to admit war-torn Ukraine into the bloc.
In a radio interview, Orbán declared, “We will never support foreign policy that threatens Hungary’s survival.”
He warned that allowing Ukraine to join the EU while still at war would effectively import the war into the EU, turning Hungary into a frontline state.
“Countless Hungarians would die, our youth would be taken, we would be drawn into a war, suffer terrible destruction, and our economy would lie in ruins,” Orbán said.
The prime minister also attacked the proposed financial package accompanying Ukraine’s accession, calling it “astronomical.”
According to Orbán, the plan would allocate €360–370 billion in aid to Ukraine over seven years—an annual amount 18 times larger than what Hungary spends on pensions. He argued that Hungarian taxpayers would foot a disproportionate share of the bill.
He proposed a structured, contractual strategic partnership between the EU and Ukraine instead of full membership.
Orbán’s critique comes amid growing concern across Europe about democratic backsliding in Ukraine.
Just days earlier, the parliament in Kyiv adopted a law placing two key anti-corruption institutions—the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO)—under the direct supervision of the Prosecutor General, a presidential appointee.
Critics say this move effectively strips the agencies of their independence, a violation of one of the EU’s central accession criteria.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said the law would derail the accession process.
Despite this, the bill was approved by the Ukrainian parliament, triggering mass protests in Kyiv and other cities.
Beyond the anti-corruption law, Ukraine has also drawn criticism for failing to hold general elections in 2024 as constitutionally required. The war was cited as justification, but critics argue that democratic life should continue, even under martial conditions.
Further concerns have arisen over forced military conscription. Numerous reports suggest that Ukrainian authorities have employed aggressive methods to recruit soldiers. A Hungarian-Ukrainian dual citizen, József Sebestyén, was recently beaten to death by recruiters, fuelling Budapest’s anger.
While Ukraine receives unprecedented support and political backing from the EU, member state Hungary remains under sanctions.
€18 billion in EU funds remain frozen due to so-called “rule-of-law concerns,” and the EU continues to fine Hungary €1 million daily for defending its borders against illegal migration.
The Hungarian government views these penalties as politically motivated. Orbán accuses Brussels of punishing Hungary for protecting its borders and defending its national identity while turning a blind eye to Ukraine’s democratic deficiencies.
Though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has seemingly backtracked on the controversial anti-corruption bill, announcing on Friday, July 25th, that he has “listened” to the protesters, the fact remains that the EU is willing to sacrifice its ‘values’ and ‘principles’ when it comes to Ukraine—but will do everything in its power to punish those who go against the mainstream liberal tide.
Hungarian conservative daily Magyar Nemzet rightly asks, “Did the politicians in Brussels fail to notice what is going on in Ukraine, or did they distort the truth when they referred to Ukrainian democracy as an example to follow?”
