Orban wrote on the social media platform X that confiscating Russian assets to fund Ukraine would amount to “a declaration of war” and draw the European Union into the conflict. He argued that taking money from one side of the war and giving it to the other would cross a dangerous line.
In a video attached to his post, Orban said Russia and Ukraine were the two countries at war, not the European Union, and described the idea of asset confiscation as “stupid.”
Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski responded directly, rejecting Orban’s framing. Addressing the Hungarian leader by name, Sikorski wrote that Russia and Ukraine were not equal “sides,” saying Russia was the aggressor condemned by an overwhelming majority at the United Nations, while Ukraine was the victim of aggression entitled to compensation.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto then joined the exchange, saying Hungary had already paid a high price for a war “that is not our war” and warning against further steps that could escalate the conflict.
The dispute comes as EU leaders meet in Brussels to discuss how to finance Ukraine over the next two years. The European Commission and the International Monetary Fund have estimated Ukraine’s funding needs at 137 billion euros, with the EU pledging to cover about two-thirds of that amount.
European Council President Antonio Costa said ahead of the meeting that EU leaders had previously agreed to keep Russian assets frozen until the war ends and damages caused to Ukraine are compensated. He added that a European Commission proposal to use frozen Russian assets for reparations-backed loans enjoys broad support among member states.
(jh)
Source: Onet, WP, RMF24