Hungary’s PM Viktor Orban says Europe must stop sending money to Ukraine and invest in its own economic competitiveness instead.

ALDEN BIESEN: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called on the European Union to cease financial support for Ukraine if it wants to revitalise its own economy.

“Don’t send your money to somebody else if you need it for your competitiveness, so don’t send the money to Ukraine,” Orban told reporters on Thursday ahead of talks with EU leaders.

The nationalist premier, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest ally in the EU, has consistently expressed scepticism about the bloc’s support for Ukraine.

Official figures show the EU and its member states had contributed around EUR 177 billion in military, economic and political assistance to Ukraine by the end of 2025.

The bloc has also approved a EUR 90 billion loan intended to fund Kyiv over the following two years.

The 27-nation EU has a combined GDP of almost EUR 18 trillion.

Hungary has frequently obstructed EU decisions regarding Ukraine.

Despite applying to join the EU days after the 2022 invasion, Ukraine’s accession talks have been stalled by vetoes from Orban’s government.

Unlike other European nations, Hungary has not diversified its energy imports since Russia’s assault on Ukraine began.

 The Sun Malaysia