Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán warned of what he described as an increasing danger of war in Europe, addressing participants at the first anti-war gathering of the Digital Citizens’ Circles in the city of Győr.
“Two dangers threaten the very existence of Europe today: war and migration. We must stay out of war, and we must defend ourselves against migration at our borders,” Orbán said in a statement shared on social media by government spokesman Zoltán Kovács.
Speaking to Hungarian journalists, Orbán stressed that Hungary’s priority is to remain outside international conflicts and safeguard its national sovereignty. He compared the current geopolitical climate to historical moments that preceded major wars, rejecting accusations that his government is attempting to monopolize the concept of peace.
Commenting on the European Union’s support for Ukraine, Orbán said Hungary is guided solely by the interests of its own citizens. He dismissed Ukrainian corruption as a secondary issue, arguing that the key question is how the war impacts Hungarians. “We can contribute to building peace, but we cannot create it ourselves,” he noted.
Orbán also claimed that Russia had previously proposed taking two Ukrainian regions in exchange for Kyiv giving up its NATO aspirations—an offer he said was rejected due to pressure from “Anglo-Saxon countries.” According to him, Moscow now seeks control over four regions and “will not give them up,” adding that “time is on their side.”
Praising the Vatican’s consistent peace-oriented diplomacy, he expressed hope that other Western leaders might still be persuaded to adopt a similar approach.
In addition to the war, Orbán described migration as an existential threat to Europe. “War is killing us. Migration is changing us. We may still call ourselves Hungarians, but it will no longer mean the same,” he said.
He called for open dialogue with young people and highlighted the influence of his family and six grandchildren on his political decisions. Describing politics as “one of the best jobs” because it provides the chance to do good, he urged citizens to become more engaged in public life.
Referring to an opposition rally also held in Győr, Orbán argued that it is “difficult to be a leftist in Hungary” today because, in his view, the right has achieved many of the goals once championed by the left. “Their only motive today is power,” he concluded.
