Continuing support for Ukraine is ‘crazy’ because Kyiv has ‘no chance of winning the
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has claimed Ukraine has ‘no chance’ of defeating Russia and insisted Europe’s financial backing is ‘crazy’ – warning that further escalation could even risk ‘World War Three’.
In an interview with Mathias Döpfner, CEO of German media group Axel Springer, Orbán said that EU leaders are killing the European Union economically by pouring billions into the conflict.
His comments came as hopes for a ceasefire in the near future are fading fast – with Europe scrambling to find more money for Ukraine next year, despite already spending billions.
Hungary has previously blocked the prolongation of EU sanctions against Russia and financial support for Ukraine, and has lobbied for an exemption from U.S. oil sanctions on Moscow.
‘We have burned already €185 billion, and … our intention is to burn even more. So we finance a country which has no chance to win the war,’ Orbán said.
He then warned of the danger of a world war, saying that any nuclear power losing a conventional war brings an immediate risk of nuclear escalation.
‘If a nuclear power is losing a conventional war, I’m absolutely sure the nuclear risk is on the table immediately,’ he said.
‘Don’t escalate. Don’t show your strength on the front line. The risk of World War Three is there – you must show strength at the negotiating table.’
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has claimed that Ukraine has ‘no chance’ of defeating Russia and insisted Europe’s financial backing is ‘crazy’ – warning that further escalation could even risk ‘World War Three’. Pictured: Viktor Orbán as seen talking with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria Nikolai Denkov and Prime Minister of Slovenia Robert Golob in 2023
In an interview with Mathias Döpfner, CEO of German media group Axel Springer, Orbán said that EU leaders are killing the European Union economically by pouring billions into the conflict. Pictured: A ruined residential house is seen in the frontline town of Kostyantynivka, Ukraine
His comments came as hopes for a ceasefire in the near future are fading fast – with Europe scrambling to find more money for Ukraine next year, despite already spending billions. Pictured: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky
Orbán also accused European leaders of deliberately prolonging the conflict to secure a stronger position in eventual peace talks – a strategy he called ‘totally wrong.’
‘They would like to continue the war,’ Orbán said. ‘They think we have to continue the war to support Ukraine more.’
‘The situation and the time is better for the Russians than for us. Don’t continue; stop it as soon as we can,’ Orbán said.
He predicted that any meaningful peace deal will ultimately be struck between Washington and Moscow, covering the war as well as wider issues such as global trade and energy.
He also urged Europeans to ‘open an independent communication channel to Russia.’
‘Let the Americans negotiate with the Russians, and then the Europeans should also negotiate with the Russians and then see whether we can unify the position of the Americans and Europeans,’ Orbán said.
His remarks follow new U.S. sanctions against Russian energy giants Lukoil and Rosneft, and the cancellation of a planned Trump–Putin summit in Budapest.
Orbán also accused European leaders of deliberately prolonging the conflict to secure a stronger position in eventual peace talks – a strategy he called ‘totally wrong.’ Pictured: Russian President Vladimir Putin
Orbán predicted that any meaningful peace deal will ultimately be struck between Washington and Moscow, covering the war as well as wider issues such as global trade and energy. Pictured: A destroyed church in the frontline town of Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region
Hungary claims it secured an indefinite exemption from U.S. oil and gas sanctions – though Washington says it lasts only one year.
Orbán said the exemption would remain in place ‘as long as he is in office,’ with Hungary’s next election expected in April.
He also encouraged Europe to adopt a Ukraine strategy rooted in ‘European interests,’ saying he is ‘not interested’ in whether Moscow wins or loses, only in ensuring European – and Hungarian – security.
‘I’m interested in the future of the European people, among them, the future of the Hungarians.
‘The outcome of the war should be a more secured word than it was, a more secured Europe than it was,’ Orbán added.
He argued that a postwar settlement should stabilise borders ‘whether internationally recognized or not’ and include ‘a kind of demilitarized zone to make a stable situation’.
Orbán added that Russia would likely retain control of areas of eastern Ukraine, including Donetsk, after the conflict. ‘Unless a miracle happens, this is the reality,’ he said.
But he dismissed fears that Russia could go on to attack another European or NATO country as ‘ridiculous.’
‘They are not strong enough. We are far stronger,’ he insisted.