Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, in his regular Friday morning interview on public Kossuth Radio, highlighted critical government actions, including finalizing the 2025 budget and advocating for a Christmas ceasefire in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. He reflected on Hungary’s diplomatic efforts and its forward-looking economic strategies amidst global turbulence.
Orbán emphasized Hungary’s efforts to foster a ceasefire during the holiday season, suggesting that a temporary truce could save lives and bring some solace to war-torn families. ‘If the sides can agree, there could be a ceasefire during Christmas. And if they agree to exchange prisoners, hundreds of families could find joy,’ he said.
Hungary initiated this proposal, and while one party accepted it, the other did not. Orbán said he remains hopeful that circumstances will change by Christmas. He stated that achieving even a short-term truce would reduce casualties and alleviate suffering, underscoring Hungary’s peace-oriented stance as befitting an ancient Christian state.
Reflecting on the shifting geopolitical landscape, Orbán noted, ‘The world is on the brink of far greater changes than we imagine.’ He attributed Hungary’s diplomatic activity—engaging with the US, Russia, and Türkiye—to preparing the nation for these transformations. According to Orbán, a significant shift in global dynamics could occur following the inauguration of the next US president in January.
‘Orbán underscored Hungary’s peace-oriented stance as befitting an ancient Christian state’
The Prime Minister highlighted recent diplomatic achievements, including facilitating Romania and Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen Area. This move was described as a long-awaited aspiration of the Hungarian minority in Transylvania and a positive step for Romanian–Hungarian relations. Additionally, reallocating border police from the Schengen-compliant Hungarian-Romanian border to more critical areas enhances internal security.
Orbán described the 2025 budget as a ‘peace budget,’ asserting that Europe’s economic woes stem from the ongoing war. He expressed optimism that as the conflict subsides, economic conditions will improve, enabling Hungarian families to thrive. The budget prioritizes investment in areas like healthcare, education, and public safety, building on recent wage increases in these sectors.
‘If the war clouds disappear, our lives will transform immediately,’ Orbán said, highlighting the psychological shift that would encourage risk-taking and entrepreneurship. He promised robust economic growth, asserting that the 2025 budget rests on a solid financial foundation recognized even by stringent credit rating agencies.
Orbán also addressed the complexities of the Syrian conflict, highlighting its repercussions for Europe, including the infiltration of terrorists amidst migrant flows. He condemned false reports alleging Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s visit to Hungary, attributing such disinformation to deliberate efforts to destabilize the nation. Orbán called on the intelligence agencies to investigate these incidents, stressing the importance of adhering to civilizational norms.
Concluding his interview, Orbán paid tribute to Hungary’s law enforcement in light of the tragic murder case the victim of which was a child gone missing 24 years ago. The perpetrator has only been identified earlier this month, but for a while it seemed he would not face justice as he was a minor himself at the time of the crime. The prime minister praised the unwavering efforts of police and stressed the importance of justice being served. ‘There is no compromise when it comes to finding missing children,’ he declared, urging swift action from lawmakers where necessary.
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