When **President Donald J. Trump** emphasized that Europe needs to shoulder more of its security burden, he meant arming themselves effectively, but also making prudent defense decisions. It’s reckless to engage in a frenzied military buildup, especially when funds are insufficient, and to provoke an unnecessary confrontation between Europe and Russia.
This is a sentiment echoed by the **Conservative Champion**, Hungarian Prime Minister and often the EU establishment’s antagonist, **Viktor Orbán**. As reported by Reuters:
“The EU cannot afford to finance Ukraine’s military efforts as U.S. financial aid is no longer guaranteed,” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday after the leaders of 26 EU countries signed a statement voicing support for Ukraine without Hungary.”
Orbán stands as the solitary EU leader who hasn’t succumbed to the Zelensky influence. At the recent Brussels defense summit, EU leaders devised plans to drastically increase defense spending while maintaining their support for Ukraine. However, Orbán argues for the support of **Trump’s peace talks** over prolonging the conflict.
Orbán warned that if the EU continues to both finance Ukraine’s war efforts and increase defense spending, it would inevitably “ruin Europe.” He questioned,
“If now the US quits (financing the war) […] why would the other 26 member states have a chance to take this war to the end?”
Orbán also mentioned that Hungary would soon hold a national consultation to gauge public opinion on Ukraine joining the EU, following his usual stance of opposing joint EU support statements for arming Ukraine.
As reported by **Politico**:
“Hungarians will have a say on whether they want Ukraine to join the European Union, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said early Friday — though the ballot is non-binding and will almost certainly be stacked against Kiev.
Orbán’s government has initiated over a dozen national consultations since 2010 on various topics, including migration and LGBTQ+ rights. These consultations involve mail-in campaigns where voting-age Hungarians receive letters posing questions and inviting them to choose from a list of responses. However, the outcomes are not legally binding.
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