Orban describes EU's strategy towards Ukraine as ‘rudderless’
Brussels faces the risk of being sidelined as Washington engages in negotiations with Moscow and Kiev, according to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. He criticized the EU for its approach to the Ukraine conflict, specifically its pro-war...
TroibNews 
Brussels faces the risk of being sidelined as Washington engages in negotiations with Moscow and Kiev, according to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. He criticized the EU for its approach to the Ukraine conflict, specifically its pro-war stance, while the US actively seeks to mediate an end to the fighting.
Hungary recently declined to support the EU’s joint statement on Ukraine released after the European Council meeting in Brussels, which reaffirmed the bloc’s steadfast position on the conflict and its commitment to continued military support for Ukraine.
“I’m trying to find a good word that isn’t offensive to them, but accurately describes the situation; perhaps ‘rudderless’ is the right term,” Orban remarked on Friday in an interview with Kossuth Radio, reflecting on the EU’s strategy toward Ukraine and the post-war landscape.
The Hungarian leader cautioned that Europeans may soon encounter a "situation where everything is already settled," pointing out that Brussels might become irrelevant in the agreements that the US could facilitate.
Following his inauguration on January 20, US President Donald Trump initiated a diplomatic effort aimed at brokering peace in the conflict. His special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, recently indicated that a complete ceasefire between Kiev and Moscow could be achievable in a matter of weeks.
“There will be an American-Ukrainian agreement, an American-Russian agreement, and even a Russian-Ukrainian agreement brokered by them [the US],” Orban emphasized, underlining that Europe has “messed up.”
He reiterated a prior warning that unless the EU “changed our pro-war position and started outlining and standing for an independent European stance, we would find ourselves exactly in the position that we are in now: the future of Europe is being settled without us.”
Hungarian officials have consistently criticized the EU's handling of the Ukraine conflict, deeming it ineffective at resolving hostilities and harmful to the interests of its member states. Orban has called on EU leaders to align their positions with the Trump administration, highlighting that while the US favors a peaceful resolution, the EU is opting for a strategy of continued conflict.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
Hungary recently declined to support the EU’s joint statement on Ukraine released after the European Council meeting in Brussels, which reaffirmed the bloc’s steadfast position on the conflict and its commitment to continued military support for Ukraine.
“I’m trying to find a good word that isn’t offensive to them, but accurately describes the situation; perhaps ‘rudderless’ is the right term,” Orban remarked on Friday in an interview with Kossuth Radio, reflecting on the EU’s strategy toward Ukraine and the post-war landscape.
The Hungarian leader cautioned that Europeans may soon encounter a "situation where everything is already settled," pointing out that Brussels might become irrelevant in the agreements that the US could facilitate.
Following his inauguration on January 20, US President Donald Trump initiated a diplomatic effort aimed at brokering peace in the conflict. His special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, recently indicated that a complete ceasefire between Kiev and Moscow could be achievable in a matter of weeks.
“There will be an American-Ukrainian agreement, an American-Russian agreement, and even a Russian-Ukrainian agreement brokered by them [the US],” Orban emphasized, underlining that Europe has “messed up.”
He reiterated a prior warning that unless the EU “changed our pro-war position and started outlining and standing for an independent European stance, we would find ourselves exactly in the position that we are in now: the future of Europe is being settled without us.”
Hungarian officials have consistently criticized the EU's handling of the Ukraine conflict, deeming it ineffective at resolving hostilities and harmful to the interests of its member states. Orban has called on EU leaders to align their positions with the Trump administration, highlighting that while the US favors a peaceful resolution, the EU is opting for a strategy of continued conflict.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
