Ukraine support/ Trump foreign policy/ EU summit/ Viktor Orbán/ EU-Ukraine aid/ Russian invasion/ Zelenskyy response/ European Union unity/ Newslooks/ BUDAPEST/ Hungary/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Ahead of a European Union summit, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán suggested that Donald Trump’s election will lead to a halt in U.S. support for Ukraine, potentially straining EU unity on aid for Ukraine. Orbán, an ally of both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, reiterated his opposition to long-term EU support for Kyiv and pressed fellow leaders to reconsider their commitments as Trump’s administration takes shape.
“Orbán’s Comments on Ukraine Aid and EU Unity Quick Looks”
- Orbán Predicts U.S. Withdrawal from Ukraine Support: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán suggested Trump’s administration will end U.S. support for Ukraine.
- Growing EU Divisions on Ukraine Aid: Orbán’s stance may deepen divisions among EU leaders on future aid for Kyiv.
- Orbán’s Longstanding Opposition: Known for his close ties to Trump and Putin, Orbán has consistently opposed EU support for Ukraine.
- Zelenskyy Responds to Trump’s Peace Claims: Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy warned against a “quick peace” that could favor Russia.
- EU Leaders Reaffirm Support: Leaders, including Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, pledged continued aid, despite Trump’s election and Orbán’s position.
Hungary’s Orbán Predicts Trump Will Halt U.S. Support for Ukraine
Deep Look
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán voiced strong skepticism Friday about continued Western support for Ukraine, suggesting that Donald Trump’s election as U.S. president could end American aid and potentially reshape the European Union’s commitment to Kyiv. Orbán’s comments, made ahead of a critical EU summit in Budapest, reflect his close alignment with both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin and underscore potential divisions among EU leaders on Ukraine policy moving forward.
During a two-day summit in Budapest, EU leaders are set to discuss continued support for Ukraine amid Russia’s nearly three-year-long invasion. While most EU countries remain committed to sustaining military and financial aid for Ukraine, Orbán has repeatedly attempted to weaken or delay these efforts, advocating for a cease-fire and questioning the effectiveness of prolonged support for Kyiv. Orbán’s resistance comes as Trump’s recent election win raises questions about the future of U.S. involvement in the conflict.
“If Donald Trump had won in 2020 in the United States, these two nightmarish years wouldn’t have happened. There wouldn’t have been a war,” Orbán claimed in a radio interview on Friday. He argued that Ukraine has already suffered “a military defeat” and predicted that under Trump’s leadership, “The Americans are going to pull out of this war.”
In recent months, Russian forces have made incremental advances in Ukraine’s eastern regions, though the front lines have largely stabilized. Now, as the war nears 1,000 days, Ukraine’s smaller military faces challenges in countering Russia’s far larger and better-equipped army. For Kyiv, continued Western support is vital to sustaining its defense. Yet, uncertainty over the durability of that support has grown since Trump’s election, as he has previously criticized U.S. aid to Ukraine and promised to bring the conflict to a rapid end without specifying how.
Speaking remotely to EU leaders on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to Trump’s assertion that the war could be resolved “in a day,” warning that any fast resolution could force Ukraine to surrender territory to Russia. “If it is going to be very fast, it will be a loss for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said, echoing concerns shared by his European allies.
Despite Orbán’s opposition, EU leaders have managed to maintain their commitment to Ukraine, often finding workarounds for Hungary’s attempts to stall or weaken sanctions against Russia and financial aid for Kyiv. Arriving at Friday’s summit, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a conservative ally of Orbán on many issues but a firm supporter of Ukraine, stated unequivocally, “As long as there is a war, Italy is on the side of Ukraine.”
European Council President Charles Michel also stressed the importance of EU support for Ukraine, noting that a retreat from aid would send a dangerous signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin and other authoritarian regimes. “If we do not support Ukraine, this is the wrong signal that we send to Putin, but also to some other authoritarian regimes across the world,” Michel stated.
However, Orbán’s remarks resonate with some EU members who are increasingly concerned about the financial and political costs of indefinite support for Ukraine. Reflecting on Trump’s election win, Orbán described it as a “new situation” for Europe, asserting that “Europe cannot finance this war alone.” His comments suggest that Trump’s potential pullback from Ukraine could affect Europe’s capacity to continue support at current levels.
The divide among EU leaders over Ukraine highlights the complex geopolitical landscape ahead. As the EU contemplates its long-term role in the conflict, Trump’s election raises pressing questions about the future of U.S. foreign policy and its impact on Europe’s ability to stand united in the face of Russian aggression.
With Orbán pushing for a more restrained approach, the European Union faces an ongoing debate on how best to support Ukraine as it navigates a changing global political climate. Leaders at Friday’s summit will continue to weigh these issues as they seek consensus on a path forward, even as some, like Orbán, remain steadfastly opposed to extended involvement.
