Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has once again broken ranks with Brussels, refusing to sign a European Union joint statement that sought to set conditions for a US-Russia peace push on Ukraine.
The PM’s move came just days before US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s summit on August 15.
“Before the European liberal–mainstream chorus starts up again with the ‘Putin’s puppet’ tune, I want to explain why I could not support the statement on behalf of Hungary,” Orbán said on August 12.
He slammed EU foreign policy, accusing the bloc of trying to dictate the terms of talks it was not even invited to.
“The EU has already been sidelined. The only thing worse would be for us to start giving instructions from the bench,” he declared.
Orbán argued the path was to follow Washington’s lead and open direct talks with Moscow.
“The only reasonable step EU leaders could take would be to initiate an EU-Russia summit,” he insisted.
The statement Orbán rejected, that was backed by the other 26 member states, declared that no peace deal should be reached without Ukraine’s involvement.
“The people of Ukraine must have the freedom to decide their future. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities,” the statement read.
“The European Union underlines the inherent right of Ukraine to choose its own destiny and will continue supporting Ukraine on its path towards EU membership,” it added.
Orbán’s government has long opposed EU military aid to Kyiv, saying it prolonged the war and he has attacked sanctions on Russia as both ineffective and economically destructive for Europe.
In March 2025, Orban refused to align with the EU’s war strategy during a special European Council meeting.
During Hungary’s EU presidency in 2024, he outraged fellow leaders in the bloc by visiting Putin in Moscow and portraying himself as a mediator in the conflict.
NEWS OF THE DAY: Orbán’s ‘peace trips’ annoy Brussels leaders.
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