Hungarian right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared on Tuesday that Russia has won the war in Ukraine, just days before the summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Orban, in power since 2010, has often faced criticism from European leaders for his close ties to Moscow and opposition to military aid for Ukraine, while his government seeks to stabilize an economy hit hard by inflation.
In an interview with the “Patriot” channel, Orban said: “We are now talking as if this were an endless war, but it is not. The Ukrainians have lost the war. Russia has won this war.”
He added that the only question remaining is: “When and under what circumstances will the West, which stands behind the Ukrainians, accept that this has happened and what will be the outcome of all this.”
Hungary, which relies heavily on Russian energy, has refused to send weapons to Ukraine. Orban also opposes Ukraine’s EU membership, arguing it would cause chaos among Hungarian farmers and negatively impact the economy.
He further criticized the EU’s approach to the crisis, saying Europe missed the chance to negotiate with Putin during former President Joe Biden’s administration and now risks having no role in decisions about its own future.
“If you are not at the negotiating table, you are on the menu,” Orban emphasized, adding that he did not fully support the EU’s joint statement on Ukraine because it made Europe look “ridiculous and pathetic.”
