Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has convened an emergency meeting of the country’s Defense Council, warning that the war in Ukraine is set to become “longer and more brutal” than previously expected.
In a statement posted to Facebook on Monday, Orbán said recent developments on the battlefield made it clear that the conflict is escalating rather than nearing resolution.
“The military actions of the past few days suggest that the war will be longer and more brutal than we expected at the beginning of the year,” Orbán said. He went on to criticize what he called a growing divide between advocates of peace and those determined to prolong the fighting. “We have to face the fact that transatlantic unity has been sharply disrupted. Never before has there been such a gap between the pro-peace forces under Trump and the leaders in Brussels and Kyiv who want the war to continue.”
Orbán reiterated Hungary’s stance as a neutral actor pushing for peace, even as it increasingly puts the country at odds with its European Union partners. “Hungary must remain on the side of peace, even if it means that our disputes with Brussels will be louder,” he said. “We must be prepared for the war to drag on, with all its security and economic consequences.”
The prime minister also warned that Hungary would likely be targeted as a result of its position. “We must be prepared for Hungary to be attacked with double force, because Hungary is President Trump’s ally and Hungary wants peace, not a continuation of the war.”
He predicted increased pressure on Budapest in the form of foreign intelligence activity, negative media campaigns, and political attacks. “We must prepare ourselves for the fact that the intelligence operations, the smear campaigns, and the war propaganda campaigns against Hungary will continue with even greater momentum than before.”
Orbán concluded by stating that the Defense Council would meet Monday afternoon to address these threats and ensure Hungary’s stability. “We will prepare and defend Hungary and Hungarian families!” he declared.
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