Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared Ukraine an "enemy" at a rally on 7/2, citing Kyiv's repeated demands for the European Union (EU) to cut off cheap Russian energy. Orban stated, "Anyone who says this is an enemy of Hungary, therefore Ukraine is our enemy", arguing that such demands threaten Hungary's ability to reduce its energy costs.

Orban explained that without affordable Russian energy supplies, Hungarian households would face an annual increase of at least 8% in housing and utility costs. "That is like losing a month's salary", he added.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest on 5/1. Photo: AFP.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest on 5/1. Photo: AFP.

Orban also voiced strong opposition to Ukraine's aspirations for European Union membership. He added that Hungary seeks no military or economic cooperation with Ukraine, asserting that "they are dragging us into war".

"We record everything, see everything, and everything has its price to pay", Orban stated. While acknowledging Ukraine as a neighbor with whom cooperation is necessary, he reiterated, "we cannot let them join the EU".

Ukraine has not yet commented on Orban's statement.

The Hungarian government has consistently maintained its inability to fully decouple from Russian energy supplies, despite ongoing efforts to diversify sources. Furthermore, Hungary opposes European Union initiatives aimed at stopping member states from buying Russian oil and gas.

Hungary currently receives the majority of its oil through the Druzhba pipeline and natural gas via the TurkStream pipeline, with its branches extending through Bulgaria and Serbia. According to Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, in 2025, the nation imported over 8,5 million tons of oil and more than 7 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Russia.

By Ngoc Anh (According to TASS, Kyiv Independent)