Photo from Viktor Orban’s Facebook page
The EU is preparing for war, and it’s frightening – this was the statement made by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, commenting on Brussels’ initiative on food stockpiles. In his traditional Friday speech on Kossuth radio, he expressed outrage that the European Commission is recommending that citizens have 72 hours of food and water at home in case of an emergency.
“Brussels is preparing for war, and this must be taken seriously. It is terrifying. What is in their minds?” Orban said. At the same time, he stressed that he had no information about a real threat of an attack on NATO member states. “Our message to the Hungarians is that we are not in danger of any war,” he added.
The EU Commission unveiled the initiative on Wednesday, explaining it as a way to prepare for potential crises, including natural disasters, cyber attacks and geopolitical threats, including the possibility of military aggression. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that EU citizens, governments and companies should be prepared to respond to any threat.
Orban, who supports Donald Trump, accused Brussels of fuelling panic and called on the EU to support “US peace initiatives” on Ukraine instead. “Instead of preparing for war, Brussels should support America’s desire for peace,” the Hungarian prime minister said.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Orban government has taken a separate position in support of Kyiv. Hungary has refused to supply weapons to Ukraine and openly blocks its accession to the EU, which has repeatedly caused conflicts with Brussels.
