Orbán prepares for elections with “Brussels, we won’t pay” petition

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced on Wednesday that his government is launching a petition opposing what he described as Brussels’ plans to finance the war in Ukraine.

In a video posted on Facebook, Orbán said the decision followed a cabinet meeting in which ministers reviewed a briefing by János Bóka, Hungary’s minister for European Union affairs.

Orbán claims Ukraine seeks $800 billion from Europe

According to Orbán, Ukraine is demanding $800 billion from Europe over the next ten years, a burden he claims Brussels intends to shift onto EU member states, including Hungary.

“They want to take this money from the member states — from us, from Hungarians,” Orbán said. He added that the government agreed during the cabinet meeting that these demands must be rejected.

“We do not want to pay for the war, we do not want to pay Ukraine’s utility bills, and we do not want to pay for the soaring energy prices caused by the war,” the prime minister stated.

Orbán argued that if Hungary were to accept these demands, the next decade would not be about Hungarian families but about what he called a ‘Brussels war levy.’ “We cannot allow this,” he said.

Official: Hungary parliamentary election 2026 date announced by the Hungarian president

Petition launched: “We will not pay”

Orbán announced that the government will therefore launch a public petition and called on Hungarians to support it.

“We want to send a clear message to Brussels together: do not count on us — we will not pay,” he said.

Read also: Orbán under growing pressure as two opinion polls show opposition lead

What EU support for Ukraine has actually been agreed?

In December, EU leaders reached an agreement after lengthy negotiations to provide €90 billion in joint loans to Ukraine. One of the most contentious issues was whether frozen Russian assets held in Europe should be used to finance the aid, an option that was ultimately rejected due to legal and political risks.

The agreement allows for the possibility that Russian assets could be used in the future to help service the debt, but for now the loans are being taken out jointly by participating EU member states.

Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic opted out of the scheme, while the decision was reportedly taken amid strong pressure from the United States for the EU to demonstrate visible and sustained support for Ukraine.

18 Comments

  1. ““Brussels, we won’t pay…”

    It’s brilliant.

    Why?

    Because it identifies a tangible and visible enemy of Hungary; what they are trying to do; and around whom to rally to prevent that.

    The whole psychological format to motivate a Hungarian voter is there – in four words.

    It’s the Svarc Győrgys sign from previous elections, only this campaign slogan has substituted the Bruxelles’s parliament building for the face of the Hungarian Oligarch.

    And if Magyar’s campaign actually knew what they were doing they would respond with : ‘Hungary only for Hungarians.’

  2. The money is not to finance war. It’s a plan for economic recovery after a peace deal is agreed.
    “…for economic recovery, restoring jobs, and bringing life back to Ukraine,”
    “…statements describe a 10-year framework involving Ukraine, the U.S., EU, and G7 partners aimed at mobilizing that $800 billion through a mix of public and private investment. The plan will rely on financial tools such as guarantees, risk-sharing, and blended public-private financing…”

    https://kyivindependent.com/what-we-know-about-ukraines-800-billion-economic-peace-plan/

    This whole thing is just being discussed, nothing agreed. Especially no such thing exists as EU/Europe planning to pay $800 billion to finance the war. Yet again, just more anti-EU propaganda lies.

    • ‘This whole thing is just being discussed, nothing agreed. Especially no such thing exists as EU/Europe planning to pay $800 billion to finance the war. Yet again, just more anti-EU propaganda lies’

      After illegally overthrowing the democratically-elected administration of President Viktor Yanukovitch in 2014, and then spending what now adds up to trillions of American and European tax dollars to finance an undeclared regime change war against Russia, not to mention 2,000,000 dead Ukrainian men, 20,000,000 displaced Ukrainian, it is very clear something ruinous is going on – all this for a government neither in NATO nor the EU.

      Something horrific is going on; and Orbán Viktor has railed and politicked relentlessly against it – all the while refusing to spend a single Hungarian life or Forint on this diabolically misanthropic policy.

      If that is merely anti-EU propaganda and lies to you, I have no choice but to accept you live on a planet unknown.

      To the vest majority of the rest of us, on the Planet Earth, My Dear Ostanus, what Orbán Viktor has done is sanity, common sense and goodness.

      God bless Viktor!

      He may not be perfect, but, he is sure better than most of the rest of what claims to be the legal heads of European states.

      • Ah, the usual trolling tactics of avoiding the subject, adding conspiracy theories and throwing some insults against other commenters.

        Fact: Orbán blatantly lied when he said that “Brussels” intends to pay $800 billion.
        Fact: I live in Hungary, thanks for asking.
        Fact: Yanukovych abandoned office (and escaped to Russia, of course) in 2014 due to massive protests by the Ukrainian people who did not want him to lead anymore.
        Fact: Russia attacked, Uraine is defending against an aggressive attacker and has received support funding for defense.

        I do not like lying leaders. I think a lying leader like Orbán is a bad leader. And Orbán has not done goodness for Hungary for a long time anymore.

      • @Mouton – happy to debate policy, specific spending or tactics, however lets agree to at least stay within the bounds of reality.

        So – let’s stick to the facts. Mr. Yanukovych lost legitimacy after ordering his own security forces to shoot protesters. Then, his own party abandoned him in parliament, and he fled to Russia. Neither an illegal Western overthrow not an undeclared regime change war against Russia. Russia subsequently annexed Crimea and started the war in Donbas in 2014, followed by the still ongoing “special military operation” of 2022.

        The numbers you cite for Ukrainian casualties and displaced are wildly inflated compared with independent estimates. Again – facts and data. I suggest you give them a read:

        https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2025/12/high-commissioner-turk-ukraine-plight-civilians-has-become-even – disturbing reading, and gives you a sense why Ukraine does not want to submit to Russia.

        Ukraine | Displacement Tracking Matrix

        https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/ukraine – easiest if you look for the civilian casualty update PDFs.

        Ukraine military casualties are surprisingly tricky – they are, however, defending their homeland and way of life (which you, as a sovereigntist, should appreciate).

        Spare a thought for the poor young Russian sods, being sent to die by Mr. Putin with shit kit and under poor command:

        https://en.zona.media/article/2025/12/19/casualties_eng-trl

        More facts – Hungary is fully protected by NATO’s security umbrella and heavily subsidized by EU funds – as I have detailed in earlier posts. As a “thank you”, Mr. Orbán takes swipes at European unity on sanctions and aid, and uses the war as domestic campaign material.

        You may call Orbán clever, but it comes at a cost. It isolates us diplomatically, feeds Kremlin narratives, and bets on the success of Mr. Putin, who has shown nothing but contempt for the sovereignty (which I know is very important to you) of its neighbors. Hence Sweden and Finland’s sudden eagerness to join NATO.

        As a generalization, the EU position is to help Ukraine defend itself so that wars of conquest don’t come closer to our own borders (… security). Turning this into a morality play where Brussels and Washington are the villains and Mr. Putin is barely mentioned – well. Hardly common sense. More like wishful thinking dressed up as hero worship.

        Mr. Orbán’s posture is a political choice with consequences – hardly sanity and goodness.

        Over to you. And yes – I know factual, sufficiently detailed and duly motivated posts are time consuming, however, please do give it a try?

        • ‘Mr. Yanukovych lost legitimacy after ordering his own security forces to shoot protesters…’

          The chief of Ukrainian Security forces, for the Yanukovich Administration in 2014, tells the very opposite story of what you tell – that he never received permission from Yanukovitch to truly crack down on protesters.

        • ‘So – let’s stick to the facts…’

          At this point, Dear Norbert, I can recite your facts of the Ukrainian war.

          Ready?

          in 2014, Ukraine had a Russian puppet, Viktor Yanukovitch; he who was never democratically elected, and who, extremely unpopular, Ukrainians,without the help of any Western Intelligence services, rose up in righteous indignation and overthrew.

          At that point Russia moved into the Eastern Ukraine and, against the will of the local population, engineered an illegal and immoral division of The Ukraine.

          Outraged, the Ukrainian government quickly dispatched troops to protect the people of Luhansk and Donbass.

          Feeling great empathy for the people of Luhansk and the Donbass, as well, The Western Elite dispatched an unspecified amount of money, troops and military equipment to resist the Russian Demon.

          Currently the Russia, basically Vladimir Putin and a few fellow lunatics, are bumbling and stumbling their way to Warsaw, possibly, Berlin, and the only way to stop them is to follow Ursula van der Leyen’s lead and give the legitimate president of The Ukraine, Volodmir Zelensky, an infinite supply of money. troops and equipment.

          This way, and in only this way, can peace and security be preserved in Europe.

          There we have it : the Official Tisza Party history of the sad events in The Ukraine.

          • Dear Norbert – I am simply expressing my views, as are you, and others here.

            AS I see it, it is a conversation – like a little informal parliament.

            In fact, it’s a bit more peaceful than the Hungarian Parliament has been in the last year..

            If you want to make something more out of it it is your right.

            Let’s be clear : I agree with most of the world that Vladimir Putin is a great man and leader of his country.

            In fact, his achievement at revitalizing a Russia of the 1990s, into what it is today, is remarkable.

            I have never been shy about this fact.

            One of President Bill Clinton’s best decisions – agreeing with Boris Yeltsin that Vladimirovitch ought be his successor.

            In any case, than k you for the interesting exchanges.

            I respect your mind, sincerity, and kindness.

            I do think, however, that you are still young and still naive, or, at least, as to who is doing what in The West.

        • ‘More facts – Hungary is fully protected by NATO’s security umbrella and heavily subsidized by EU funds..’

          Fully protected from what, Dear Norbert?

          • @Mouton – there seems to be a pattern to what you are stating.

            The loop is pretty much about corrupt “Western Elites”, cynicism re democracy and support for Ukraine being pointless because they are corrupt or doomed to fail. And sanctions being more damaging to us than to Russia. Hail Mr. Orbán’s Realpolitik!

            Your posts are not some independent thinking, contributing to discussion or debate. They appear aimed at trying to make us exhausted, cynical, and divided. Oh – incidentally, just like Mr. Putin likes it?

            Your comment re @Márk speaks volumes …

    • Why even discuss it then?
      If what you say is right, it is irrelevant, because Russia will take the whole of Ukraine.

      First Ukraine should survive. Which it won’t, and the West knows that it won’t. So why discuss 800b€?
      Because you were lied to about the 800b.

      That’s the easiest explanation.

      • There you go again, Dear Márk – speaking illegal amounts of truth and common sense’.

        It must be really hard to be so insane (this is insane, is it not?) as to continually remind your fellow countrymen, they who have as little taste for the truth as do mine, what actually is going on.

        Why do you torture yourself this way?

        Would it not be a better life to just let your people believe in the lies fed to them by the objective truth-seeking ‘Fact-checkers’ at Wikipedia?

  3. Victor Mihaly. Orban – the Ruinous place he and his Fidesz Government, over the time of (2) two decades under the leadership, the Prime Ministership of Hungary by Orban and the name Fidesz they have DELIVERED our country to a place a FUTURE of grave un-certainty.
    Orban may to number’s – stand as a “beacon” of light, the way forward for Hungary and those in Europe and Globally that “favour” what he talks, but Hungary, his DELIVERY to us individually in millions as a country the loss of respect and trust in the name Hungary has been SMASHED through the name – Victor Mihaly. Orban and his Fidesz Government.
    Post June 16th 1989 – yes go back to that “Historic” date – the words from the mouth of Victor Mihaly. Orban and simple look at consider through discernment and answer these questions ;
    (1) -has or has he not over these decades 16th June 1989 on GROWN his own, his Families “pockets of riches” ?
    (2) – has or has he not EFFECTED better “life qualities” – throughout the entire operation structure of Hungary – the “needs” individually of Hungarians – Education, Public Health, Hospitals, Public Transportation just to name “little” – of what Prime Ministers and their Governments, through tax payers money are RESPONSIBLE – in their appointments to be a Government, should MUST prioritize and follow through with, for a better life of Hungarians individually and to grow and STRENGHTEN the name retain and GROW trust and respect for the name of our country Hungary and BUILD our country’s FUTURE ?
    Victor Mihaly. Orban – a “dunce” a humongous FAILURE that has FAILED us individually in millions over decades and as a country but Victor Mihaly. Orban his “personal” the EMPIRE he has built him-self, dominated by Greed, Selfishness and EXPLOITING personally millions upon millions of Hungarians, commencement 16th June 1989 – the humongous winner factually has been – Victor Mihaly. Orban and those by “association” to his name, his Fidesz Government, supporters of the Political Party of Fidesz, his “inner sanctum” and the Oligarchy.
    FAILED – we have been FAILED betrayed, “sold out” lied to, feed propaganda of promises never fulfilled, fabrications of truth & facts.
    The Government Debt of Hungary – in another “atmosphere”- its BORROWINGS all at HIGH level interest rates China being the largest lender, this worsening situation is a personal debt individually on all the “ageing” declining in number, the population of Hungary.
    The “fines” gargantuan in euro dollars “struck” that daily in compound interest formation & application – that build on increase, the longer they remain un-paid to the European Union that attract humongous level of daily interest charge, this GROWING debt, another DEBT on the people, the individuals of Hungary.
    The DEBT through lawful judicial process handed down judgments by the Courts of Justice of the Courts of the European Union – on the name of our country Hungary, through the “crimes” committed by the name – Victor Mihaly. Orban and his Fidesz Government – they HAVE to be PAID.
    Victor Mihaly. Orban – has HAD his time that through his LEGACY what he the name FIDESZ has delivered upon Hungary must NEVER never, never be APPEASED.

  4. Ah, the magnificent Mouton, a true polymath of the comment section.

    With his alleged mastery of languages and fluency in “dricatics,” he can dissect Hungarian politics, American culture, and Southern secessionism—all while presumably typing English on a Cyrillic keyboard? A true virtuoso. His undying praise for Mi Hazánk isn’t just loyalty; it’s an artistic performance, a masterpiece of keyboard acrobatics where every leap to defend the indefensible is a flourish of digital devotion. He doesn’t just comment; he performs, a one-man show for an audience that likely appreciates his consistent, unwavering script more than any actual facts.

    😂 Bravo, bot.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *