politics
February 19, 2026
Orban blasts EU ‘fantasy’ about Russia
Hungarian PM Viktor Orban has dismissed the idea that the EU can exhaust Russia and help Ukraine win the conflict
TL;DR
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban believes EU leaders are wrong to think they can exhaust Russia and help Ukraine win the conflict.
- Orban described the idea of Russia running out of steam before Ukraine as a 'fantasy, an illusion, and irresponsible.'
- He criticized the EU's continued financial and military aid to Kiev.
- Orban's comments were in response to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's statement about inflicting 'unprecedented losses and costs on Moscow.'
- The article mentions EU diplomat Kaja Kallas insisting Russia is not ready for negotiations and defense industry deals signed at the Munich conference.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed regret that the Ukraine conflict is one of the few wars being backed internationally.
- Trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the US have been held, with a new round starting in Geneva.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated Moscow prefers diplomacy but will use military means if necessary.