Orbán threatens veto on new EU weapons for Ukraine, asks EU to hold direct talks with Putin – UPDATE: government reaction
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has sent a letter to Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, urging the EU to reconsider its approach to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The letter, which was obtained by Válasz Online, outlines Orbán’s opposition to the proposed written conclusions on Ukraine scheduled for discussion at the upcoming Brussels summit on 6 March 2025.
Orbán’s key objections and proposals
According to Válasz Online, Orbán expresses his disapproval of the draft conclusions, which include a proposal for the EU to provide additional weapons to Ukraine, including air defense systems, missiles, and projectiles, as part of a new EUR 20 billion fund. The Hungarian PM suggests that the EU should follow the United States’ approach and engage in direct peace negotiations with Vladimir Putin’s government. Additionally, Orbán recommends that the EU should, at most, support the UN Security Council resolution that generally calls for peace between warring parties,
without specifically condemning Russia as an aggressor.
Implications for EU unity and decision-making
Orbán’s letter implies a threat to veto any decisions on additional military aid to Ukraine, arguing that such a declaration would demonstrate a lack of unity within the EU. The spring EU meeting is expected to focus on European defense and how to contribute to the continent’s peace and Ukraine’s long-term security. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has promised a comprehensive plan to develop the EU’s arms production and defense capabilities.
International reactions
Most EU governments and Ukraine find the idea of direct negotiations with Russia without involving the Ukrainian government unthinkable. During the vote on the UN Security Council resolution mentioned by Orbán, European countries abstained, while Russia, the USA, and China supported it.
Here is the Hungarian government’s version of the leaked letter
Ahead of a European Union summit on Thursday, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has made it clear that negotiations and peace are needed, not arms deliveries to Ukraine, portal Mandiner said on Saturday.
Mandiner learnt that Orbán recommended in a letter to António Costa, the president of the European Council, that the EU should follow US President Donald Trump’s policy and start peace negotiations with Russia. In the leaked letter, reported on by the Financial Times, Orbán said there were strategic differences in the approach to Ukraine among member states that could not be bridged by drafting or communication.
Mandiner said that the summit on Thursday was expected to decide on setting up a new, 20 billion euro fund to purchase air defence equipment and missiles for Ukraine. In his letter to Costa, Orbán noted that setting up such a fund would require a unanimous decision, which was not possible without Hungary’s support.
Read also:
- Orbán’s ‘pro-peace’ government becomes largest EU financier of Russia’s war
- Hungary, alongside Russia and the USA, refused to vote in the UN to condemn Russian aggression
Peace can only be effectively negotiated from a position of strength, there mere fact that Ukraine is capable of prolonging the war if necessary will encourage Russia to adopt a realistic negotiating strategy. Hungary is actively undermining Europe’s efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s bargaining position that serves to hasten the ceasefire agreement, not delay it.
I might add that a generation ago peaceniks were derided on the right as vegan leftists willing to roll over to the Soviet Union. Reagan, a noble Republican whose legacy is greatly respected by those of all political stripes is currently spinning in his grave for he was a true Conservative, not the shower that have hijacked this honourable label and seek to claim it for themselves while distoring its meaning.
Time to end the conflict and support President Trump’s peace initiative. So far, too much damage, high death toll, high inflation has been the result. Everyone in the EU is paying dearly for the support of the war.
Russia and China are definitely not American or Canadian allies, yet the countries manage to co-exist. EU should try co-existence rather than making enemies of countries with different type of governments. It is the responsibility of citizens of every county to choose their form of government and not foreign entities.
Orban has been funding Russia’s war machine with oil and gas purchases and has done zero to stop Russian weapons purchases while doing everything he can to handcuff Ukaine. Hungary works for Russia and Orban is a Russian stooge. Shame on Hungary.
The comedian dictator got his six handed to him at the White House the other day. He’s been used to sauntering into the palaces of Western countries, telling the globalist-socialist-fascist marionettes in there that he wants XYZ, and getting XYZ. Now Trump and Vance masterfully gave him to understand that the spigot is being turned off and that a forever-war was not on the cards.
So, Zelensky goes cap-in-hand to the EUrotrash losers who duly oblige him. The big washing machine that is the Ukraine was has to keep running and laundering those billions (as well as weapons that the Ukrainians have been reselling on the black market).
These people have been willfully allowing their own countries to be invaded by enemies far worse than Russian soldiers but it’s somehow supposedly critically important to protect Ukraine’s territory.
Who are these people kidding anymore?!?
Mr. Orban, PLEASE veto the bejesus out of this folly!!!
well, the two activities can be both performed. As said above, EU can support the negotiation with new aids and talk to Putin at the same time. Veto is the usual weapon of Orban to slow down all (already slow) EU decision making. Everyone wants peace, but sabotaging the strategy to reach it, in my eyes, doesn’t show you want peace Mr. Orban.
@michaelsteiner – as I was waiting for your reply regarding your repeated claim Ukraine is reselling weapons on the black market (you may have missed my questions), I thought I would scout out.
https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-tucker-carlson-ukraine-weapons-black-market-cartels-2030011
So – it appears you are relaying Mr. Carlson conspiracy theories and Russian disinformation?
” Keith Kellogg, a former national security advisor under the Trump administration, said that “inspector generals are on the ground in Ukraine” monitoring weapons transfers and financial aid to ensure accountability.”
FYI – Mr. Kellogg is hardly a “woke lefty” – https://apnews.com/article/trump-transition-ukraine-russia-war-kellogg-68b413ecde625f6643aebe5759a752e7
The “Borders” of Hungary remain open – free passage – to President Putin, my “friend” – messaged again in recent days, from the desk – the “gofer” and his Fidesz Government of Hungary – Victor Orban to Putin’s Russia.
Mr President, not required an estimated time of arrival, all is in place waiting for you.
A warm welcoming awaits you.
Victor Orban – the dystopia just keeps “piling” out of him, that through the tyrannical barbaric “rage” directed at the President of the Ukraine, in the Oval Office, by Trump & Vance, this individual Orban, in the “self-belief” of his idiotic “Dogma” continues to DISPLAY throughout the European Union, Great Britain & Northern Ireland, the Global countrys of the World, that are DEMOCRACY’s – he is a “Judas” of DEMOCRACY.
Not pretending to have the answers, here. The situation is extremely complex – consider how BFF Mrs. Meloni has joined the London conference this weekend, at the front of the line, as well as Turkey – BFF Mr. Erdogan appears to be on the side of Ukraine. This is not over, by a long shot.
Again. Mr. Orbán still believes Mr. Trump is his friend. I have not seen any exceptions when the US administration when it rages against NATO allies or the European Union. And the way chips are falling, there may be a NATO 2.0 – which we would want to be part of. Hungary “doesn’t have the cards” – as Mr. Trump would say. Hungary only holds a veto – and if you’re alone – you can be VERY alone. With the Vatican, perhaps – but they have a privileged position.
Also consider that, if the other Mr. Orbán friend, You-Know-Who, takes over the Ukraine military apparatus by way of a Mr. Lukashenko-like stooge, we have a very dangerous and potent neighbour. Or if He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named start taking nibbles, Baltics, Poland … Hungary is on the hook for Article 5. Unless we want to take the Mr. Putin approach to treaties and international agreements.