'We Are Closer Than Ever To World War', Says Orbán

  • 13 Mar 2023 6:27 AM
  • Hungary Matters
'We Are Closer Than Ever To World War', Says Orbán
The world is closer than ever to a local conflict becoming world war, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told public radio.

“Leaders of the western world are gripped by war fever, holding speeches calling for winning the war and making further sacrifices, and sending increasingly dangerous weapons to Ukraine,” Orbán said. Rather than promoting peace unanimously, the world is divided: Turkic and Arab states, China and African countries want a ceasefire and peace talks, he said.

At the same time, Hungary is “basically the only” pro-peace European country besides the Vatican, he said. Pro-war countries are motivated as much by “business speculations, defence and economic policy considerations and calculations on post-war advantages” as by commitment to principles and faith, Orbán insisted.

Meanwhile, Hungary must have a strong military and promote peace at the same time, he said. Hungary needs a combat-ready army, and the government is working to increase the number of troops, their commitment to their homeland and vocation, their level of training, and their prestige, Orbán said.

They must also be equipped with modern weapons, he said. “Being pro-peace doesn’t mean we have to be defenceless,” he said.

MTI Photo: Vivien Cher Benko

  • How does this content make you feel?

XpatLoop Media Partner

Hungary Matters

Launched in January 2014, this newsletter published on week days covers 'everything you need to know about what’s going on in Hungary and beyond', according to its publisher the state media agency MTI.

  • Rival Budapest Marches to Mark '56 Revolution Anniversary

    Rival Budapest Marches to Mark '56 Revolution Anniversary

    • 22 Oct 2025 12:34 PM

    This year’s anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution will be marked by two rival marches on October 23, reflecting political divisions in the country. The governing Fidesz party and the opposition Tisza Party are each organizing separate processions.

  • Hungarian Spy Network Exposed in Brussels

    Hungarian Spy Network Exposed in Brussels

    • 16 Oct 2025 6:31 AM

    Hungarian intelligence services operated a spy network in Brussels during the 2010s, targeting the European Union by attempting to recruit Hungarian nationals working within EU institutions. Their activities were unusually blatant and careless, resulting in the exposure and collapse of the entire network by 2017, as revealed by investigative reports by Direkt36 in collaboration with Belgian and German partners.

  • Hungarian Spy Network Operating in Brussels Uncovered

    Hungarian Spy Network Operating in Brussels Uncovered

    • 10 Oct 2025 11:31 AM

    An investigation by Direkt36 has revealed that Hungarian intelligence services operated a covert spy network in Brussels throughout much of the 2010s, targeting Hungarian nationals working within EU institutions.

  • Banned Pécs Pride Held in Hungary

    Banned Pécs Pride Held in Hungary

    • 6 Oct 2025 6:37 AM

    The fifth Pécs Pride parade was held under the slogan "We will not bow to fear!" in the southern Hungarian city on Saturday, the closing day of the Freedom of my Identity human rights festival.