Orban Warns of Imminent Western Military Involvement in Ukraine

"Today in Brussels, there is a majority in favour of war, the mood in Europe is combative, the logic of war dominates in politics, I see preparations for war everywhere and in everyone. NATO's Secretary-General said he wants to create a NATO mission in Ukraine; European leaders are already drawn into the war," said Orban, who is sympathetic to Putin and whose words were quoted by the index.hu portal.

Orban stated that European leaders "perceive the war as their own and conduct it as such". - "Initially it was only about sending helmets, then sanctions, but not about energy. Of course, he listed that they started sending weapons, initially firearms, tanks, then planes, then financial aid amounting to tens of billions," he listed.

Orban stated that despite the significant assistance Ukraine has received, "things are actually getting worse". - "We are a step away from the West sending troops to Ukraine," it's a tumultuous war that could pull Europe down. Brussels is playing with fire and tempting God," stated the Hungarian Prime Minister.

On Friday, Orban initiated the campaign of the Fidesz-KDNP coalition before the EP elections, hoping for a larger representation of forces critical of aid to Ukraine amidst its battle with the Russian invasion and on the issue of immigration.

French President Emmanuel Macron said after the meeting of heads of state and government leaders in Paris that defeating Russia is "necessary" to guarantee security in Europe. He added that "sending Western ground troops to Ukraine in the future should not be excluded," although he believes that there is "no consensus" on this issue at the current stage.

From the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Orban has been echoing Kremlin propaganda. As one of the first politicians, he congratulated Vladimir Putin on his "victory" in the so-called presidential elections. "In the letter, Orban ensured at that time that Hungary is ready to cooperate with Russia and that it stands on the side of peace". Orban, driven by Putin, also opposed the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine.

It was then that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz suggested he "have a coffee outside the room". Thanks to this, Hungary did not vote either "for" or "against". "'Orbán left the room, paving the way for the EU’s historic decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine," wrote Politico at the time.