Hungarian PM: Peace deal in Ukraine possible within six months

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has expressed optimism about the potential for a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, suggesting that a lasting agreement could be reached within the next six months, or even sooner.

In an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson, Orban responded positively to the question of whether a settlement is likely in the near future, Caliber.Az reports.

“Yes. Definitely. Even sooner than that. I think so,” Orban stated confidently.

The prime minister linked his optimism to US President Donald Trump's involvement in the peace process, noting that Trump is planning to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Orban emphasized the role of strong leadership in securing peace, saying, “These are serious people. Strong people make peace, weak people make wars. Now we have strong leaders.”

Orban warned that if the conflict continues, it could have catastrophic consequences for the European Union, comparing it to the situation in Afghanistan. He said, “If President Trump does not find a solution, this war could easily become Afghanistan for the European Union.”

The Hungarian leader also pointed to the significant financial burden the EU has shouldered over the past three years, spending approximately €200 billion on supporting Ukraine, much of which has gone toward military aid. He noted, “This money has been taken out of the European economy. Hungary loses about €7 billion every year because of the war.”

Orban criticized the EU’s sanctions against Russia, which have isolated the union from the Russian economy, particularly the energy sector. He warned of the long-term damage, stating, “We have isolated ourselves from the Russian economy, including the energy sector, and this will have a long-term negative impact on us.” Orban also raised concerns about the destruction of Ukraine's economy and the need for its eventual reconstruction.

From the start of the conflict, Orban had urged EU leaders to avoid becoming too involved in the war, stressing that doing so would waste valuable European resources. However, despite his warnings, Orban noted that many EU leaders continue to support military intervention. He observed, “Now only the Vatican, Slovakia, and Hungary are calling for an end to the conflict.”

Orban also strongly criticized the EU for lacking a clear economic strategy in the wake of the energy crisis triggered by Russia's actions. He explained that the EU's former economic success was based on a symbiotic relationship between affordable Russian energy and advanced Western technologies, which made Europe highly competitive globally. “With the outbreak of the war in Ukraine and Russia's subsequent energy embargo, this model was lost,” Orban said. “The EU now finds itself without an alternative strategy.”

He concluded that the absence of a clear vision for Europe's economic future and the failure to adapt to new realities are posing serious risks to the union, contributing to economic difficulties in both Germany and Hungary.

By Tamilla Hasanova