Orbán: Europe must reclaim its dignity or be left off the world stage

Budapest Times

2 days ago

In an interview with Patrióta, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has delivered a sobering assessment of Europe's geopolitical standing, warning that the continent is in danger of becoming a passive observer in decisions that could define its future. Speaking ahead of the upcoming Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, he stressed that the talks could shape not only the war in Ukraine, but also the world economy, energy markets, and the rules of global trade — with Europe notably absent from the table.
PM Orbán underscored the significance of U.S. President Donald Trump's public reference to him before the meeting, describing it as a reflection of Hungary's political stability and his own long record of leadership. 'In diplomacy, experience counts,' he said, noting that as Europe's longest-serving head of government, it is natural for global leaders to seek his perspective. This, he argued, is less about personal prestige and more about the advantage that long-term political stability brings to Hungary's diplomacy.
He also defended his recent veto of a European Council statement on Ukraine's EU membership, pointing to the Hungarian public's earlier rejection of accession in a national poll. 'I will not sign a declaration that contradicts the will of our citizens,' he declared. Beyond the legal and democratic grounds, PM Orbán criticized the spectacle of European leaders scrambling for relevance before the U.S.–Russia meeting, calling it 'undignified' and damaging to Europe's image as a serious global player.
On the war itself, PM Orbán was direct: 'Ukraine has lost this war. Russia has won it.' He argued that Western policy remains trapped in the illusion that prolonging the conflict could trigger regime change in Moscow. This, he warned, is a strategic fantasy with no factual basis, and it prevents the very negotiations needed to secure peace. Europe's failure to open direct talks with Russia early on, he said, was a historic mistake. 'If you are not at the table, you are on the menu,' he cautioned, adding that the U.S. and Russia are now discussing matters that will define Europe's fate — without European participation.
The prime minister placed the conflict within a broader global picture. For much of the world, he noted, the Ukraine war is only one of many crises. The Middle East, terrorism in unstable regions, and tensions around Taiwan all compete for attention. Outside Europe, there is little patience for the West's singular focus on Ukraine. He observed that President Trump is systematically engaging with multiple flashpoints, seeking to resolve them one by one — a method that has earned respect even from those critical of his style.
PM Orbán devoted special attention to the economic stakes of the Alaska talks. He warned that the outcome could determine whether the world economy remains a unified system or fractures into rival 'blocs.' This would have profound consequences for global trade, energy flows, and investment patterns. Decisions on sanctions, particularly against Russia, could reset the rules of energy supply. For Hungary, the question is existential: 'Our future depends on whether we can buy energy in sufficient quantities, at affordable prices, on the world market.'
Even Alaska's choice as the summit venue carries symbolic weight. Once Russian territory, later sold to the United States, it reflects the intertwined histories of the two powers. Hosting the talks there, PM Orbán suggested, signals that the U.S. and Russia can still engage directly on matters of global importance — something Europe, in its current form, seems unable to do.
In closing, PM Orbán urged Europe to rediscover its ambition and strength. Without this, he warned, the continent will be reduced to a bystander in a world where decisive players shape the future. 'Europe must want to be great again,' he said. 'Otherwise, others will decide for us — and we will live with the consequences.'