According to Prime Minister Orbán, the crux of enduring stability lies in restoring Ukraine's status as a buffer state between NATO and Russia. Recalling the geopolitical structure post-NATO’s 1999 expansion—which included Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary—he argued that peace in Europe was once underpinned by Ukraine's neutral position. That balance, he says, has since disintegrated due to both Western efforts to integrate Ukraine into NATO and Russia’s aggressive military response.
In his view, a realistic peace plan must reflect the current battlefield realities and historical context. He suggests a settlement where Russia retains territory agreed upon at a future international peace conference, while an independent Ukrainian state—limited in military capability and not aligned with any bloc—occupies the space west of that line. NATO and Russia would jointly guarantee Ukraine's neutrality through mutual agreements on its armed forces’ size and armament. "This is negotiable," PM Orbán said, pointing to international legal frameworks that could support such an arrangement.
PM Orbán also addressed the broader implications for Europe, particularly in relation to the American-led 28-point peace proposal. He emphasized three hard truths: first, that time is not on Ukraine’s side; second, that Russia will gradually be reintegrated into the global economy; and third, that the cost of the war is and will continue to be borne entirely by European citizens. "We must tell our people the truth: every euro spent on Ukraine comes out of European pockets," he stated.
Given these realities, he urged immediate, high-level EU–Russia negotiations to stabilize the region, followed by the reintegration of Russian resources into the European economy. Long-term, he envisions a European defense capability robust enough to deter any future threat—but with arms control agreements in place to prevent over-militarization.
Addressing the issue of antisemitism, Prime Minister Orbán contrasted Hungary’s zero-tolerance policy and support for Jewish communities with what he described as deteriorating conditions in Western Europe, driven by migration. "It’s taboo to say, but migration brings antisemitism with it," he asserted. In contrast, he said, Hungary’s firm stance against migration ensures that its Jewish citizens can live freely and safely. "Our version of ‘Wir schaffen das’ is: 'Don’t let them in'," he said.
PM Orbán's message is clear: Europe must move past political fictions and engage with geopolitical realities, however uncomfortable they may be. Only then, he argues, can genuine peace be pursued.