Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that it would be more beneficial for Europe if Ukraine reached an agreement with Russia rather than build an 800,000-strong army financed by the EU.
“Europe must not fund a massive military build-up on its borders,” Orbán wrote on X on Tuesday, Feb. 24. “That path leads to an arms race, higher costs for families, and growing insecurity. Hungary’s priority is restraint, stability, and peace. The war must end, NOW.”
In a video accompanying the post, Orbán described the prospect of a large Ukrainian army under Kyiv’s command as “extremely dangerous.”
“It is not in our interest to have an 800,000-strong army under Ukrainian command next door,” he said. “Our interest is much more that Europe reaches an agreement with the Russians, signs a peace deal, and limits both the number of Russian troops near Ukraine and the number of Ukrainian troops.”
Orbán argued that failing to do so would trigger a broader arms race in Europe, forcing governments to increase defense spending to match neighboring military buildups.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, in an interview with Germany’s Tagesschau, said he was confident the European Union would find ways to overcome Hungary’s opposition to a planned €90 billion ($105.6 billion) European loan for Ukraine.
“I hope that colleagues such as Orbán will not become accomplices of Putin and Lukashenko,” Zelensky said. “If he blocks €90 billion intended for us – for weapons, which, by the way, are not his money – then from a historical point of view Orbán would become an ally of the fascist Russian regime.”
Zelensky expressed doubt that the loan would ultimately be blocked, saying the EU would find mechanisms to ensure the funding proceeds and that the United States would allow Ukraine to purchase the weapons it needs.
He added that Ukraine could not match Russia in overall arms production but was working to reach parity in drone numbers on the battlefield if financing is secured.
The European Commission has said it expects all leaders who committed to the €90 billion loan package to uphold their political pledges, warning that failure to do so would violate principles of loyal cooperation within the bloc.
Hungary has tied its opposition to the restoration of Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline.
Kyiv responded to Budapest’s threats to block a €90 billion EU loan and cut off electricity to Ukraine until oil transit through Russia’s Druzhba pipeline resumes on Monday – by blowing up a critical section of the pipeline deep in Russia.
In the early hours of Monday morning, Ukrainian long-range kamikaze drones pummeled the Kaleykino oil pumping station near the town of Almetyevsk in Russia’s Tatarstan region, setting it ablaze and shutting down the operation of a critical transit node in the Druzhba pipeline system – the main artery for Russian crude oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia.
Kyiv accuses Budapest of ‘demonizing’ Ukraine
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused the Hungarian government of “demonizing” Ukraine for domestic political gain.
In comments to Politico, Sybiha said Kyiv had proposed several practical solutions to resolve disputes over the Druzhba pipeline, including the possibility of a direct meeting between Zelensky and Orbán.
“Slovakia and Hungary should send their concerns to the Kremlin and ask Russia to stop shelling Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, including the Druzhba pipeline you are referring to,” Sybiha said, adding that Ukraine remains ready to act constructively.
Domestic political context
Orbán’s comments come as Hungary prepares for parliamentary elections expected in 2026. His ruling Fidesz party has faced growing pressure from a resurgent opposition amid economic stagnation and inflation concerns, as well as charges of corruption.
Recent polling has shown Fidesz maintaining a narrow lead but losing ground compared to previous election cycles, as a new opposition movement led by former government insider Péter Magyar gains support.
Orbán has repeatedly framed his foreign policy as protecting Hungarian households from the costs of war, arguing that further military escalation in Ukraine would burden European taxpayers and undermine regional stability.