Budapest, June 27, 2025 — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has reaffirmed his opposition to Ukraine’s membership in NATO, insisting that the alliance should play no role in the country currently at war with Russia.
In remarks to Ukrainian news outlet Ukrainska Pravda, Orbán stated bluntly:
“Ukraine is not a member of NATO, just like Russia—and it is not intended to become one. My duty is to ensure that it stays that way.”
Orbán also challenged the view of Russia as a serious threat to the alliance, noting that “NATO is far stronger than Russia,” and dismissing official NATO references to Moscow as exaggerated.
“There is no real reason for alarm,” he said.
Instead, the Hungarian leader identified Europe’s economic competitiveness as the continent’s gravest concern:
“The biggest problem facing Europe today is the decline in its economic competitiveness.”
Orbán’s stance underscores Hungary’s continued caution toward deeper Western involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, even as other NATO members debate increased support for Kyiv.
