Orbán: Ukraine's EU membership would be equal to economic collapse
PM Orbán warned that Ukraine's EU membership would mean economic collapse, insisting Hungary's lone stance is gaining support as national interests must come first.
In this morning's interview on Kossuth Rádió's 'Good Morning, Hungary!', Prime Minister Viktor Orbán voiced strong opposition to Ukraine's accession to the European Union, warning that such a move would push the bloc toward economic collapse. 'Sooner or later, if not for other reasons, then economically, the moment of sobering will arrive: Ukraine's EU membership would be equal to economic collapse,' he stated, citing financial impracticalities and growing resistance across Europe.
The prime minister emphasized that Hungary's opposition is not an outlier. Drawing parallels to Hungary's solitary stance on migration in the past, he suggested that support for the Hungarian position on Ukraine is steadily growing. 'We shouldn't be afraid of being alone on the issue of Ukraine, because we were also alone on migration, and now more and more are siding with the Hungarian position,' he added.
PM Orbán also criticized Brussels for pushing EU-wide financial aid and military support to Ukraine, insisting that Hungary must protect its own national interests. 'For three years, we sent no weapons and no money to Ukraine,' he reminded listeners, reinforcing his government's peace-oriented position and condemning what he views as pressure to conform.
On domestic issues, the prime minister addressed the newly introduced price cap regulation on consumer goods. He argued that the government had no choice but to intervene, as recent price hikes were not driven by market forces but by profit-driven foreign retail chains. 'We had to say to those raising prices: this far and no further,' he declared, explaining that the 10% profit cap on wholesale prices had already triggered price reductions. He also underscored that inspections would continue, as 'retail chains will try to find loopholes,' and added firmly: 'They must understand that Hungarians cannot be plundered.'
PM Orbán further elaborated on why his administration chose not to reduce VAT as a means of price control. In previous instances, he claimed, most of the reduction was absorbed by retailers. 'Left-wing politicians knew this would happen, but they were on the side of the multinationals,' he noted, stressing that the government's approach now puts national interests above multinational profit.
Turning to cultural and societal matters, the prime minister reiterated the government's stance on child protection in light of potential legal changes affecting public demonstrations. 'The right of children to healthy upbringing is a fundamental right,' he asserted, referencing efforts to limit exposure of minors to what he described as 'sexual provocations' in public spaces. He linked these moves to a broader pushback against international gender activism, claiming, 'a vast international gender network stands behind the parades.'
On family policy, PM Orbán highlighted new measures such as lifetime income tax exemption for mothers of two children. 'That's why we introduced the family tax allowance,' he said, reaffirming the government's long-standing prioritization of families and traditional values.
The interview concluded with the prime minister forecasting a wider European shift. He predicted that as the economic reality becomes unavoidable, EU leaders will be forced to confront the costs of their decisions. 'The judgment will be delivered,' PM Orbán said about the upcoming public vote on Ukraine's EU candidacy, hinting that Hungary's position may soon become the European mainstream.
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