EU nation slams bloc’s ‘war budget’
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has described Brussels’ recent seven-year fiscal proposal as a “war budget,” focusing on support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia instead of EU citizens.
The €2 trillion ($2.17 trillion) 2028-2034 spending plan published by the European Commission earlier in July includes around €100 billion in aid for Kiev and funds for its potential EU accession.
Speaking at a students’ summer camp in Romania on Saturday, Orban said the proposed fiscal plan does not serve the interests of European citizens.
He accused the “Brusselian elite” of presenting a budget built on the “logic of war,” offering “billions for Ukraine, crumbs for farmers and development.” He claimed that the EU’s goal is to defeat Russia in Ukraine, “paving the way for a change of power” in Moscow.
The budget must be approved by all 27 member states, giving Hungary the power to block it.
Germany has also rejected the plan as “unacceptable,” citing deficit concerns, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying Ukraine is unlikely to join the EU before the 2034 budget cycle ends.
Budapest has opposed Ukraine’s bids to join NATO and the EU, warning that these steps could escalate into a full-scale war with Russia. Orban’s government has also refused to supply weapons to Kiev and continues to call for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
While initially unopposed to Ukraine pursuing EU membership, Moscow have since adopted a harsher stance, accusing the bloc of “rabid militarization” and acting as an extension of NATO.
