Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has urged the European Union to shift its focus from supplying weapons to Ukraine to fostering negotiations aimed at securing peace, according to a report published on Saturday by Mandiner. In a letter addressed to the President of the European Council António Costa, Orbán argued that the EU should align its approach with that of US President Donald Trump, advocating talks with Russia rather than continuing arms deliveries.
According to Mandiner, the Hungarian government believes that the prospect of a ceasefire and lasting peace in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict is closer than ever. Despite this, EU leaders are preparing to approve the creation of a 20 billion euro fund during next Thursday’s summit, which would finance air defence systems and missiles for Kyiv.
The existence of Orbán’s letter to Costa was reportedly confirmed through documents leaked to the Financial Times. In the correspondence, Orbán calls for the EU to follow what he described as the US policy under Trump, prioritizing diplomacy over military escalation by negotiating directly with Russia.
This position has come as little surprise, as Orbán’s political director Balázs Orbán has consistently highlighted that Hungary remains the only European nation to have advocated for peace throughout the past three years. He further asserted that the likelihood of peace has increased since Trump’s strong showing in the US presidential race.
In his letter, Viktor Orbán also pointed out the significant divergence of opinion among EU member states on the Ukraine question. He indicated that these differences cannot be reconciled through alternative messaging or adjustments to proposals. Given that unanimous consent is required for decisions on such matters, Hungary’s refusal to support the 20 billion euro military fund effectively prevents its adoption.
Mandiner also reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend the summit, following what they described as a stern rebuke from Donald Trump during a joint press conference on Friday evening.
Quoting Trump, the report recalled his remarks about Zelenskyy: ‘He vastly overestimated his position. We seek peace. We do not need someone who signs an agreement with a major power and then refuses to make peace because he feels courageous. Either we end this war now, or we let them continue fighting and see what happens.’
Trump’s Vice President JD Vance added that Zelenskyy had shown disrespect towards the very government working to prevent Ukraine’s destruction.
Additionally, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó commented on the Trump–Zelenskyy encounter, stating that the meeting made it clearer than ever who genuinely seeks peace and who prefers continued conflict.
As the EU summit approaches, Hungary’s firm opposition to further militarization, combined with Orbán’s calls for a strategic pivot towards diplomacy, underscores deepening divisions within the Union over how to address the ongoing war in Ukraine.
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