In a stunning display of defiance at the NATO summit in The Hague, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has declared that nations embroiled in conflict, specifically Ukraine, do not belong in NATO or the EU. His remarks sent shockwaves through the alliance, signaling a potential shift in support for Ukraine amidst ongoing tensions with Russia.
As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the summit, Orban made it clear that he and several other leaders, including those from the United States, Turkey, and Slovakia, were unwilling to collaborate with Ukraine. “The previous chapter is over,” he proclaimed, framing Zelensky’s sidelined status as indicative of NATO’s changing sentiment toward Ukraine.
Orban’s comments were sharp and unyielding. He asserted, “NATO has no business in Ukraine. Ukraine is not a member of NATO, neither is Russia. My job is to keep it as it is.” This stark rejection of Ukraine’s aspirations for NATO membership comes at a time when the alliance is grappling with its own internal divisions.
In a further escalation, Orban took to social media to criticize Ukraine’s EU membership bid, warning it would embroil the bloc in a direct confrontation with Russia. “It is unfair to expect any member state to take this risk,” he tweeted, amplifying his call for a recalibration of NATO’s spending targets, which he deemed unworkable under current EU budget rules.
With defense investments topping the summit’s agenda, Orban’s fierce opposition raises critical questions about the future of Ukraine within the alliance. As NATO appears to quietly sidestep Ukraine’s membership path, the ramifications of Orban’s statements could reverberate throughout Europe, potentially reshaping the geopolitical landscape. The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated—Orban’s defiance may signal a pivotal turning point in the West’s response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.