In an interview with Kossuth radio, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned that Western leaders are approaching a moment when sending troops to Ukraine could be proposed. He suggested that a serious plan to deploy troops from Ukraine and allied countries into Ukrainian territory might be near.
Orban described a surge of what he called a war fever among Western policymakers, noting that Ukraine is receiving weapons at an accelerated pace, including items once considered off-limits. He pointed to Germany, saying that the country began with helmets and is now reportedly sending tanks, despite earlier declarations of a ban on such moves.
The prime minister argued that the world is now closer than ever to turning a local conflict into a global one. He recalled a speech in Budapest on February 27 in which he said authorities monitor arms supplies to Kiev and worry that the European Union could declare a plan to send military personnel from one of its member states to Ukraine.
Orban added that the Hungarian government is watching Europe enter the war with serious concern. He warned that continued trends could lead to states sending soldiers, even as Budapest emphasizes a stance of restraint. He reminded listeners that Hungary chose to stay out of direct involvement last year, while expressing sympathy and aid to Ukraine. He stressed that Kiev’s interests cannot override Budapest’s.
“More and faster supply”
On March 8, Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat, indicated broad agreement with a proposal to speed military aid to Ukraine. He urged faster ammunition shipments, lower prices, and larger delivery volumes. His message was clear: deliver more, and do so quickly.
Borrell outlined a three-part plan for ammunition support that would run in parallel. It included urgent deliveries from existing EU stocks to Kiev, covering NATO calibers as well as those used by former Warsaw Pact forces. He proposed allocating €1 billion from European Peace Funds for this purpose, coordinating orders to reduce costs and shorten delivery times, and expanding the capacity of EU defense industries to meet both domestic needs and Ukraine’s requirements.
The aim, he explained, was to accelerate ammunition supply while also ensuring a steady flow from member states to Ukraine.
Western promises
Speaking on March 4, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the alliance does not intend to supply aircraft or to deploy ground troops to Ukraine, noting that such actions could push the conflict toward a full-scale war.
He emphasized that NATO aircraft and ground forces should not be present in Ukraine. He acknowledged the sense of urgency and desperation, but warned that any move toward a no-fly zone could have drastic consequences for European security.
Earlier, Stoltenberg had remarked in December 2022 that NATO was stronger than ever. In January, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz denied the direct involvement of NATO troops in hostilities or the establishment of a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
In December 2022, a senior White House official stated that U.S. President Joe Biden would not send American troops to fight in Ukraine, reiterating that commitment. The official noted that there would be no direct American military involvement in the conflict, and the president had previously outlined limits on what the United States would provide to bolster Ukraine’s defense. Biden himself reaffirmed this stance on November 10, stressing that while the U.S. would help Ukraine defend itself, direct engagement against Russian forces would not occur. He indicated that discussions about supplying weapons to deter aggression would continue, but without entering a broader war scenario.
In summary, the Western alliance has signaled support through weapons and equipment deliveries and increased defense coordination, while stopping short of deploying troops or enforcing no-fly zones that could escalate to wider war. These positions reflect a balance between assisting Ukraine and avoiding direct confrontation with Russia.
PURPOSE OF THIS SUMMARY: This narrative consolidates public statements from European and North American leaders regarding military aid, potential troop involvement, and safeguards against broad-scale conflict. It is intended to reflect official positions and public discourse while avoiding commitments to direct combat participation beyond advisory and aid roles. Citations are provided for reference and context. [Citation: official statements and press briefings by EU, NATO, and US administrations]