Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary, shared his belief that a Trump-led United States could have sparked a different course for Ukraine, potentially averting a current armed confrontation. During a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Budapest, Orban asserted that if Donald Trump had occupied the White House, the war that has drawn Europe into a struggle might not have begun. He urged the former president to return, rekindle the idea of making America strong again, and help steer Europe toward peace.
In his remarks, Orban also highlighted insights from Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who spoke before him about pursuing peaceful living under the persistent influence of Russia. The Hungarian leader framed such discussions as part of a broader effort to understand how to navigate a geopolitical era marked by pressure and competition from Moscow while safeguarding stability at home.
Orban described Hungary as an experimental ground for conservative policy, a place where ideas intended for the future of Europe and the transatlantic alliance are tested under real-world conditions. He claimed that a political culture error is spreading through liberal progressive laboratories, a metaphor he used to describe the challenges facing Western democracies as they confront shifting values and new global dynamics. In his view, the most significant political contest would soon unfold in Brussels over the direction of a unified European foreign policy, which he argued could drift away from the will of the people if not properly aligned with national perspectives across the bloc.
According to Orban, a notable portion of the European Union could press ahead with policy decisions on foreign and security matters without a veto, reshaping the balance of power within Europe. He cited what he called the formation of a pattern among certain member states he described as a “Friend Group,” naming Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Finland, and France as part of this alignment, though he did not frame the list as a formal bloc. The ensuing debate, in his view, would intensify as Brussels presses for autonomy in foreign policy that may not reflect the preferences of every member state.
Beyond European-level tensions, Orban touched on Sweden, noting remarks about its own relationship with the European Union. He suggested that the EU could resemble a constraint for a country at times, a characterization he used to illustrate how national sovereignty and collective policies might sometimes clash. The discussion underscored his broader argument that national governments must defend their own strategic interests while engaging with European institutions that shape security, immigration, and economic policy across the continent.
In his analysis, the Hungarian prime minister urged citizens to remain vigilant about external pressures and to examine how cooperation within the EU should serve the diverse priorities of its member states. He argued for a careful balance between regional partnerships and the autonomy of member nations, especially on matters touching defense, diplomacy, and the economy. His comments reflected a perennial theme in his leadership: the importance of national sovereignty within a broader European framework, and the belief that strong leadership can help steer difficult negotiations toward outcomes that respect the interests of ordinary people living in Europe and North America alike.