Hungarian prime minister urges EU to pursue peace in Ukraine to avoid costly arms race

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has called on European Union member states to prioritize a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing that only through peace can meaningful arms control negotiations with Russia begin.

He made the remarks during an interview with Hungarian media, Caliber.Az reports.

"It is in our interest that American-led peace efforts result in a cessation of hostilities as soon as possible," Orbán stated. "At the very least, we must achieve a ceasefire and initiate arms limitation talks with Russia without delay."

The Hungarian premier referenced a €150 billion plan recently endorsed by the European Commission and approved by the EU Council at the ministerial level, aimed at bolstering the bloc’s defence capabilities and revitalizing Europe’s military-industrial complex. While acknowledging the necessity of these measures, Orbán urged caution regarding the long-term implications.

"EU countries do need to enhance their defence readiness," he affirmed. "However, the critical question is: how long can this continue, and how much will it cost?"

He cautioned that viewing Russia solely as a strategic threat risks plunging Europe into a costly and potentially unsustainable arms race. "Perhaps we can build up our military capabilities in two or three years if we invest heavily in armed forces and modern weaponry," he said. "But where do we draw the line?"

Orbán contended that a prolonged military buildup could divert valuable resources away from more constructive and peaceful objectives. “Resolving the conflict in Ukraine would allow us to redirect funds toward peaceful development,” he added.

By Vafa Guliyeva