by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief
BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Hungary’s rightwing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has launched a weeks-long “anti-war roadshow,” turning his long-standing criticism of European support for Ukraine into a central campaign theme ahead of next April’s national elections.
Orbán began the tour Saturday in the north-western city of Győr — the first of five Hungarian cities he will visit before year’s end — declaring: “Those who want peace will join us.”
The rallies come shortly after Orbán’s high-profile visit to Washington, where U.S. President Donald J. Trump exempted Hungary from sanctions on importing Russian oil and natural gas for at least a year.
The agreement, seen as a political boost amid Hungary’s economic difficulties, followed Orbán’s repeated warnings that escalating Western involvement in Ukraine risks drawing Europe into a wider conflict.
HUNGARY’S BALANCING ACT
Insiders say Orbán also used the Washington visit to push for a potential Trump–Putin meeting in Budapest, despite tensions between Hungary and other European capitals over Orbán’s ties to Moscow.
The Hungarian leader has maintained contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin throughout the Ukraine war, prompting critics to label him the Kremlin’s “Trojan horse” within the European Union.
Orbán has positioned himself as Europe’s lone voice for diplomacy over weapons shipments, portraying the Western strategy to arm Ukraine as a failed experiment that threatens European security.
RIVAL MAGYAR CHALLENGES ORBÁN
However, his message is challenged by rising opposition leader Péter Magyar, a former insider of Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party. Magyar’s TISZA Party now leads Fidesz by seven percentage points, according to recent polling from Electoral Geography.
Magyar held a rival rally in Győr on the same day as Orbán, accusing the government of manipulating the concept of peace.
“Fidesz is the party of war and hatred, while TISZA works for peace at home and around the world,” he stressed.
Pro-Fidesz media have responded by describing Magyar as “the Hungarian Zelenskyy,” referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They also accuse him of links to Ukrainian intelligence, claims he denies.
‘EUROPE ON BRINK OF WAR”
At his Győr event, Orbán warned: “There is a danger of war in Europe.” He argued that Hungary’s history — including the loss of territories after World War I — obliges it to avoid foreign entanglements.
Orbán said Hungary can only stay out of war under “sovereign leadership”, insisting Hungary will not follow EU allies in sending weapons to Ukraine. “I don’t care what the position of other countries is,” he said when asked about EU pressure.
He dismissed concerns about Ukrainian corruption as “secondary,” saying the real issue is protecting Hungary from the consequences of the conflict.
He also claimed Russia earlier offered peace if Ukraine surrendered two counties and dropped NATO alliance membership ambitions. However, Orbán stressed that “Anglo-Saxon pressure” caused Kyiv to reject the deal, raising Russian demands to four counties. “Time is on their side,” the prime minister added about the prospects for Moscow to win the war.
ANTI-UKRAINIAN BILLBOARDS FUEL TENSIONS
His comments underscored that Hungarian relations with Kyiv continue to deteriorate.
Billboards across Hungary show a darkened image of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy beside EU executive European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with the caption: “They would take Ukraine into the EU. We would pay the price.”
For Ukrainians living in Hungary, the imagery is painful. Families who fled bombardment see these posters and feel the trauma again,” said Vlada, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who asked not to use her surname for safety reasons.
“PEACE” AS DEFINING CAMPAIGN BATTLE
Analysts say Orbán plans to turn the 2026 election into a referendum on war, peace, and foreign policy.
“Fidesz will try to own the concept of peace,” warned political scientist Dániel Róna. But others caution that the strategy may not be enough as inflation, collapsing healthcare, and failing schools dominate voter concerns.
“Orbán still has an advantage on foreign policy,” noted analyst Mátyás Bódi. “But we don’t see parties winning elections based on foreign policy.”
ORBÁN’S PERSONAL MOTIVATION
Orbán, now in his 15th year of power, framed his anti-war stance in personal terms. “3What drives me is my family — and my six grandchildren,” he said. “Migration will change who we are. War kills us. We must protect Hungary.”
He urged youth engagement in politics, saying, “Being Hungarian is the best thing in the world. Thinking is the second best.”
As Hungary moves toward a heated election, the “peace versus war” narrative is set to become the defining battle between Orbán and his most formidable challenger in years, with both claiming to represent the true path to peace.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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Hungary’s rightwing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has launched a weeks-long “anti-war roadshow,” turning his long-standing criticism of European support for Ukraine into a central campaign theme ahead of next April’s national elections.