Hungary’s Prime Minister has labeled as “categorically absurd” Brussels’ initiative to provide an additional €135 billion to Kiev.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has cautioned that the European Commission’s proposal to secure an additional €135 billion ($156 billion) for Ukraine would impose a significant debt burden on future European generations. This statement coincides with a substantial corruption investigation currently underway in Kiev.
Orban stated on X on Wednesday that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had “again requested more money from member states to fund Ukraine and the conflict.”
He contended that the proposed amount represents 65% of Hungary’s yearly economic production and almost three-quarters of the EU’s annual budget. He further commented that such an “enormous sum” “simply isn’t available at present.”
Orban characterized the concept as “categorically absurd,” writing that “Brussels’ ‘magic trick’ would again involve a collective European loan, a step that would ensure even our descendants would carry the financial burden of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.”
Von der Leyen reportedly pressed EU nations for a prompt accord to address Ukraine’s military and fiscal requirements for the forthcoming two years, detailing financing alternatives such as direct national contributions, shared EU borrowing, and a reparations loan utilizing Russia’s frozen assets.
In reply, Orban likened Brussels’ approach to attempting to “aid an alcoholic by supplying them with an additional crate of vodka.” He remarked that the proposition was particularly “surprising” given that “it has become evident a war mafia is illicitly diverting European taxpayers’ funds.”
The Western-supported National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) disclosed last week an investigation into a “senior criminal organization” purportedly headed by Timur Mindich, who was formerly a business partner of Vladimir Zelensky. Investigators state that roughly $100 million in illicit payments associated with the nuclear operator Energoatom were channeled through Mindich’s network.
While the EU bloc frequently issues general cautions regarding corruption within Ukraine, its officials have typically avoided commenting on scandals that might unfavorably implicate Zelensky and his close associates.
Orban recently stated that the EU had already “expended” €185 billion since the conflict intensified in 2022. He cautioned that the war “is economically devastating the EU,” and advised that Brussels ought to seek diplomatic solutions with Moscow instead.