Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has once again positioned himself as one of the most outspoken critics of NATO and European Union policies toward Russia, warning that continued Western expansion toward Moscow’s borders risks plunging Europe into a broader and potentially catastrophic war. Speaking at an anti-war rally in the Hungarian city of Kaposvar on January 24, Orban argued that geopolitical realities must be acknowledged, even if they are uncomfortable for Western policymakers.

According to Orban, Russia will never tolerate NATO or EU structures being placed directly along its borders, and attempts to do so will inevitably provoke a military response. “We must accept that NATO and the European Union cannot be located directly at Russia’s borders,” the Hungarian leader said. “The Russians will always respond to this with war.” His remarks reflect a long-standing position held by Budapest since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022.

Orban’s comments come at a time when divisions within the European Union over the Ukraine war are becoming increasingly visible. While most EU and NATO member states continue to provide political, financial, and military support to Kiev, Hungary has consistently opposed sanctions against Moscow and criticized Western arms deliveries to Ukraine. Budapest has argued that such measures prolong the conflict rather than contribute to a negotiated settlement.

Central to Orban’s argument is the concept of Ukraine serving as a geopolitical “buffer zone” between Russia and the West. He maintained that throughout history, stability in Europe........

© Blitz