BUDAPEST, Hungary — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declared on Friday that Ukraine has effectively lost its ongoing conflict against Russia’s invasion. He expressed the belief that former President Donald Trump will halt U.S. support for Ukraine as a key outcome of his recent election win.
Orbán is presiding over two days of summits in Budapest, where the war in Ukraine is a major topic during discussions among the leaders of the 27 European Union nations. Most leaders agree that providing Ukraine with military supplies and financial aid is crucial for maintaining security throughout the continent.
In a conversation on state radio, Orbán, who maintains close ties with both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, reiterated his longstanding call for an immediate cease-fire. He forecast that Trump’s leadership would mark an end to the conflict.
“If Donald Trump had succeeded in 2020,” he claimed, “the last two disastrous years wouldn’t have unfolded, and there would have been no war. The current conditions on the battlefield are clear; Ukraine has faced a military defeat. The U.S. is poised to withdraw from this conflict.”
Recently, Russian forces have managed to secure slight advancements in eastern Ukraine, though the overall situation along the front lines has remained quite stable for some time. As the war continues toward 1,000 days, Ukrainian forces find themselves struggling against the larger and more well-equipped Russian military.
Western support is vital for Ukraine as it endures the demanding war of attrition. However, uncertainty regarding the duration of such assistance has increased following Trump’s electoral victory, given his historical criticism of American aid to Ukraine.
During a gathering of European leaders in Budapest on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy countered Trump’s assertion that the war could be resolved quickly, warning that such a rapid resolution could lead to unfavorable terms for Ukraine, including territorial concessions to Russia.
“If it occurs too swiftly, that could signify a defeat for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy asserted.
Orbán has consistently aimed to weaken EU backing for Kyiv and has frequently obstructed or diluted efforts to supply military aid, as well as to implement sanctions against Moscow.
Despite Orbán’s attempts, EU leaders have largely managed to devise alternative methods to promote support for Ukraine, showcasing their commitment to assisting the country in its fight, irrespective of the current U.S. administration.
At the summit on Friday, European Council President Charles Michel emphasized, “It is essential to reinforce our support for Ukraine. Failing to do so would send the wrong message not only to Putin but also to other authoritarian regimes worldwide.”
