Orban warns Ukraine’s rapid EU membership threatens Hungarian national interests

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has issued a stern warning against the swift accession of Ukraine to the European Union, describing it as a serious threat to Hungarian national interests.

Speaking at a gathering of ruling party Fidesz members and activists in Budapest, dubbed the “Fight Club” meeting, Orbán said, “Ukraine’s EU membership is the greatest threat,” Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media. 

He argued that Ukraine’s desire to join the bloc stems from its need for additional financial support and warned that Hungary would not allow EU funds to be diverted to Ukraine through Brussels.

“We do not want the safest country in Europe to become a mafia nest,” Orbán emphasised, “and we refuse to see Hungarian money channelled to Ukraine via the EU. No, no and no.”

Orbán also accused Kyiv and Brussels, together with Hungary’s domestic opposition, of orchestrating a smear campaign against his government in response to Budapest’s firm opposition to Ukraine’s EU membership. The Prime Minister said this campaign aims to undermine Hungary’s credibility among its allies and to cast doubt on a forthcoming referendum on Ukraine’s EU accession currently being held in Hungary.

“We will resist these efforts,” Orbán declared, vowing that Hungary would not bow to pressure from Brussels or Kyiv. He affirmed that the country’s position on Ukraine’s membership would reflect the will of the majority of Hungarian citizens as expressed through the referendum.

The Fidesz meeting was deliberately styled as a political event to energise the party’s base ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for April 2026. The “Fight Club” branding is a nod to the 1999 film of the same name and represents a push to connect with younger voters via social media and online platforms.

The event featured speeches from key figures, including Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, Fidesz spokesperson Tamás Menczer, and Budapest city assembly faction leader Alexandra Szentkirályi. Besides opposing Ukraine’s rushed EU entry, they addressed Budapest’s relations with Brussels, the preservation of traditional moral and ethical values, and Hungary’s socio-economic situation.

These topics are expected to dominate the pre-election campaign, which will unfold not only in rallies and conference halls but also across digital and social media channels.

By Aghakazim Guliyev