Viktor Orbán: 'NATO is Pushing Us Closer to War with Russia Every Week' (Video)

In his recent appearance on Hungarian state radio, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán delivered a powerful critique of Western European leaders and NATO’s actions, which he sees as dangerously escalating the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Orbán emphasized Hungary’s unwavering stance of non-participation in the war, firmly rejecting the idea of shedding Hungarian blood for Ukraine.

NATO’s Escalation and Militarization

Orbán criticized Western European leaders for considering the reintroduction of mandatory military service and increasing militarization, pointing out that such moves contribute to the escalation. He stated, “Every week we are closer to war,” expressing alarm over NATO’s plans to allow Ukraine to use Western weapons against Russian targets, which he believes could lead to a global conflict.

Hungary’s Firm Stance on the War

Highlighting the potential for a catastrophic escalation, Orbán remarked, “War is a monster that is constantly hungry, it must be fed, and I see that the Americans and the Democratic government of the United States, and the leaders of the European Union, are ready to feed it.” He reiterated Hungary’s position of non-participation, stressing, “This war must not cause suffering to the Hungarians. We have got to stay out of this war.”

Concerns Over NATO’s Actions

Orbán raised significant concerns about NATO’s evolving role in the conflict. He highlighted discussions about allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons to attack Russian targets, marking a substantial escalation. “This week, two things happened,” Orbán warned. “The first is that French training officers are going to Ukraine. The other is that more and more people, including the NATO Secretary-General, say that weapons provided by Western countries can be used not only for self-defense but also to attack the Russians.”

The Risk of Direct Conflict

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of accurately assessing the intentions of all parties involved, particularly Russia. He noted that Russia’s actions are driven by a desire to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and to ensure that Ukrainian forces cannot threaten Russian territory. “If we support Ukraine in shooting at the territory of Russia, we might pull the Russians closer to us,” Orbán argued. “We have to think about all of this. The invasion into the war does not happen from one moment to another. It has three phases: the speech, the preparations, and then the destruction.”

Hungary’s Commitment to Peace

Orbán reaffirmed Hungary’s commitment to peace, emphasizing the nation’s refusal to become embroiled in the conflict. “For us, the Hungarian interest is the most important, and this war is not our war. This war is not being waged in our interest. This war must not cause suffering to the Hungarians. We have got to stay out of this war.”

NATO’s Defensive Mission

Concluding his remarks, Orbán reiterated that NATO is fundamentally a defensive alliance. “NATO was created to ensure the defense of the member states. We did not create it to organize a mission in Ukraine that pulls us into a world war. That is absurd. NATO, instead of protecting us, pulls us, as a member state, into a world war.”

Historical Lessons and the Path to Peace

Orbán drew parallels to past European conflicts, noting that wars often begin under moral pressure and false premises of necessary conflict. “Every great war took place under a strong moral pressure, where the war-supporters tried to prove that the conflicts have no morally correct solution other than war. Whoever wants to win this war on the battlefield is foredoomed to war and risks a world war. Let’s take back the initiative: let there be a ceasefire, and let negotiations begin before we find ourselves in the middle of a great European war.”

Hungary’s Commitment Amidst Criticism

Orbán’s comments come as Hungary prepares for the European Parliament elections, where he has framed the choice as between war and peace, advocating for an immediate end to the conflict in Ukraine. His stance has drawn criticism from allies, who accuse him of appeasing Moscow and undermining European solidarity.