Bratislava, January 21, 2025
Aggressive and hostile statements are coming from Kyiv, Prime Minister Orbán said on Tuesday during a press conference in Bratislava, regarding the halted gas transit issue, after talks with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Referring to the inauguration of the new American president, Viktor Orbán added, “Since yesterday, we are the mainstream.”
Responding to a question about the gas transit issue, the Hungarian Prime Minister said that this problem cannot be solved with aggressive and hostile statements. He remarked that Kyiv is no longer in a position to afford such behavior, as global changes are working against it. He added, “If they remain aggressive and hostile, they will pay the price. They might even push us to take countermeasures.”
He expressed full support for Robert Fico’s efforts to find a negotiated solution to the difficult gas transit issue, as the halted transit threatens not only Slovakia but also Hungary’s interests and the energy security of the entire region. He emphasized that it is unacceptable for Kyiv to try to dictate and shape relations with Central European countries in this manner. “We show respect, but we expect to be treated with respect as well. When we raise a serious issue, they should be willing to discuss it, as is customary in Europe,” he stated.
Orbán also mentioned that regardless of what Brussels says about Ukraine’s EU membership, it requires unanimous agreement among member states, in which Hungary and Slovakia will also have a say. “Ukraine may think it has good relations with the current leadership in Brussels, but we are the members in Brussels, and they are the applicants,” he added.
He further stated that Ukrainians cannot behave as if the world, Bratislava, or Budapest will dance to their tune. “Maybe that was the case during the Democratic administration in the U.S., but those days are over. Now begins a new era of peace.” He noted that Kyiv has yet to come to terms with the radical changes in the balance of power and must take Central European countries seriously.
Regarding Ukraine’s NATO membership, Orbán declared that it is not on the agenda and will not be, as it will never receive unanimous support. He explained that the root cause of the Russia-Ukraine war is Russia’s firm stance that it would go to war, even launch a military attack, to prevent Ukraine’s NATO membership. “Ukraine’s NATO membership would mean immediate, direct, full-scale war with Russia,” he said. Hungary does not want that and is committed to peace, which is why it does not support Ukraine’s NATO membership.
Orbán also remarked that if Ukraine were to join the EU today, it would ruin Hungary. The EU lacks the financial resources to accommodate Ukraine, and “we do not want to destroy our own country,” he said. He added that this would bankrupt tens of thousands of Hungarian agricultural producers, as the funds currently available for economic development within the EU would all have to be redirected to Ukraine. While it is worth discussing Ukraine’s EU membership, the accession process will take many years, even decades. He warned that EU member states decide on such matters, so it will not work if Ukraine alienates neighboring countries. “Those who insult us or talk to us as if we were their servants will not get their membership approved by Hungarian representatives,” he stressed.
“If Ukraine wants what’s best for itself, it should improve its relations with Slovakia and Hungary, show respect, and behave as a proper EU candidate country should,” he said.
Discussing his meeting with Robert Fico, Orbán emphasized that there is no doubt Slovakia and Hungary are and will remain members of NATO and the EU. Referendums decided these matters in Hungary, so the government neither can nor intends to change them.
Orbán commented that while Hungary is often described as isolated in international politics, “since yesterday, we are the mainstream. We have returned to the main avenue of history.”
He highlighted that the Western mainstream is now pro-peace, family-oriented, and anti-migration. “This is the new mainstream,” he stressed. He reiterated Hungary’s continued interest in ending the war as soon as possible. According to him, Brussels has not yet recognized how rapidly everything has changed and continues to pursue a pro-war policy. “Brussels needs to sober up, but it’s still in the phase of overindulgence,” he said, predicting it will take some time for them to adapt to the new reality.
He criticized Brussels for wanting to continue the war and sanction policies, which he claims are driving up energy prices. “We need low energy prices, but what Brussels and Kyiv are doing is increasing them,” he said.
He also pointed out that even after the war, it will not be easy to establish a proper policy toward Ukraine, as “there will be a massive amount of weapons left there, posing a risk to neighboring states.” He added that there is also the danger of funds meant for Hungary and Slovakia being redirected to Ukraine, necessitating regional cooperation to protect shared interests.
Orbán assessed that Hungarian-Slovak relations have not been as successful as they are now in a long time. Slovakia has become Hungary’s second most important trading partner after Germany. He noted the construction of bridges, the opening of border crossings, the integration of electricity networks, and the connection of gas pipelines, which are now being expanded by about one billion cubic meters in capacity.
Source – Government of Hungary (e-translated and edited)