“We are living in an age of danger,” he said, “there will be moments of danger… there is an imminent threat of war, there is a threat of young people going to war, there is a threat of military service, and we are all facing economic bankruptcy if we do not resist everything that Brussels and the representatives of the potential puppet government sent here from Brussels want.”
The prime minister delivered a sweeping critique of European Union leaders and Hungary’s opposition, asserting they represent a joint threat to national interests. “Brussels is the farmers’ adversary, remember that. Brussels is an opponent of the farmers, Ms von der Leyen is an opponent of the farmers, Mr Weber… is an opponent of the farmers, Mr Zelensky is an opponent of the farmers,” he declared. “If you get the Tisza, you get a von der Leyen, a Weber and even a Zelensky. Here’s a hump for you, limpy!”
PM Orbán warned that war is not a distant threat, but a current reality. “In Brussels today, there are no prime ministers’ summits, but war councils,” he said. “Weapons, money, and now there is a signed agreement to send troops to Ukraine if necessary. So Europe is not going to war, it already went. It is already at war.” He emphasized the risk to Hungary’s youth: “The greatest danger is that Hungarian children will suddenly, somehow… find themselves in the position of standing on the soil of Ukraine in uniform.”
He argued Hungary must stay out of the war and reject EU-led recovery plans. “Recovery of Ukraine would be consistent with mobilising a total of about $800 billion… in a footnote, it is written that this 800 billion does not include military expenditure… this could exceed $700 billion… So we are at 1500 billion.” He warned this path leads to “financial debt slavery” and urged citizens to sign a petition to say no to “further funding of the Russian-Ukrainian war,” no to “making us pay for the running of the Ukrainian state for the next 10 years,” and no to “war-induced increases in utility prices.”
He also defended Hungary’s policy on energy costs: “Everybody should think about the fact that they have a gas bill of 30-40 thousand forints a month, multiply it by three every month, and then think about what the consequences would be if there were no reduction in the utility bills.” Explaining the government’s approach, he said, “We take some of the profits of those who make a lot of money in the energy industry and distribute it to the people as a subsidy.”
While critical of Ukraine’s leadership, PM Orbán drew a distinction between the state and its people: “While we will not give in, we have a heart… even if he is Ukrainian.” He noted that Hungary supplies 40% of Ukraine’s electricity and fuels their vehicles, all while hosting 30,000 refugees.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Orbán also turned to the issue of transatlantic security, declaring that “the reality is that NATO has failed. It has not worked for a long time.” He criticized alliance members for neglecting their military spending commitments: “Member States have not spent even 2% of their budgets on military expenditure, even though they have committed to do so.” PM Orbán noted that it took the arrival of a new U.S. president to restore that standard. “Came this president, you can say everything. What is the expenditure now? 2%. In fact, we have already committed to three and a half. So he saved NATO.”
The prime minister also addressed the diplomatic tensions between Hungary and Ukraine, describing a pattern of disrespect from Kyiv. “There is a specific Ukrainian form of threat, which I am learning, which is actually combined with insults,” he said. “The truth is, you have to say something back when the insult hurts Hungary’s honour. That cannot be allowed.” Stressing his personal responsibility, PM Orbán continued, “Hungary must always be given respect and recognition, and we cannot be spoken to in any way, and if someone does not give it, then it is the Prime Minister’s job to demand it and enforce it. No ifs or buts.”
In conclusion, PM Orbán said that the 2026 election is a choice between submission and sovereignty. “This is not the time for experimentation, dear citizens of Kaposvár… Fidesz is the safe choice.”