PM Orban: We Have Always Called for Peace

PM Orban joins a radio interview after the extraordinary EU summit in Brussels. Live coverage!

Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Kossuth Radio (Photo: Prime Minister's Press Office/Zoltan Fischer)

PM Orban noted that Hungary could not accommodate hundreds of thousands of guest workers, which would be an inevitable consequence of Ukraine's EU accession. He indicated that he wants to hold a consultative vote on the matter as soon as possible.

Brussels is currently calculating the costs, he said. "Maintaining an 800,000-strong army, keeping the entire Ukrainian state running, simultaneously executing Europe's military rearmament, and bearing the burdens associated with Ukraine's membership. Right now, they are adding up what all this would cost," he said, adding that – in his view – the final calculation will show that

the EU cannot afford this, and even for Brussels, the Hungarian veto was beneficial in this regard.

– We will go bankrupt if we follow the course that the 26 member states deem appropriate. This position must be changed – he added.

We need consultation and unity 

Unity and consultation do have significance, PM Orban emphasized, adding that Brussels also wants to scrap Hungary's household utility bill reduction scheme. Hungary opposes this, because Hungarian families could not bear the burden. Without the subsidies, every family would pay 500,000 forints more per year, he explained. He added that Brussels does have supporters in Hungary. This view is propagated mainly by liberal economists, the left-wing was also doing this in the past, and now the Tisza Party is pushing the same agenda.

Viktor Orban stated that some retail chains have started lowering prices. He warned that if not all of them join the price reduction effort, the government will be forced to intervene. Retailers have one more week to comply. According to the prime minister, prices are not rising.

Regarding USAID funding, he said that while Hungary welcomes money flowing into the country, some funds are "corrupt dollars" intended to buy influence. The reason foreign money is sent to individuals and organizations is to influence Hungary's decisions. To this end,

foreigners have spent vast amounts of money in Hungary in recent years, with funds coming from three different sources.

According to PM Orban, Hungary cannot accept that American money is used to influence public opinion. However, it is not only American funds that have been used for this purpose; Brussels has also financed certain individuals. Moreover, he said, Brussels' money is also Hungary's money, as it comes from the contributions Hungary has paid into the EU budget. These funds have been redirected, for example, to push - and try to validate - Brussels' stance on Hungary's utility subsidies.

Mr. Orban remarked that Brussels' old leadership remains in place, unwilling to start with a clean slate for fear of revealing past wrongdoings. However, pressure can be exerted from the member states' side to achieve results. The third funding source he identified was

the Soros network, whose activities also need to be uncovered.

Regarding domestic political consequences, he noted that hundreds of millions of forints will be removed from Hungarian public life, ensuring that the debates will finally focus on issues that truly matter to Hungary. "Today, we hear many voices in Hungarian politics that are backed by Brussels. Their patrons are in Brussels, and whoever pays the piper calls the tune," he added. PM Orban concluded the interview by stating that this is a well-known story with nothing new in it, except for the shocking reality that now, the facts are being laid bare without any disguise.

Cover photo: Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Kossuth Radio (Photo: Prime Minister's Press Office/Zoltan Fischer)