Orban's defence council convenes as Ukraine war intensifies

• Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban forecasts a prolonged and more brutal war in Ukraine.
• The Defence Council has been convened to prepare Hungary for potential threats. Hungary is an ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that "the war will last longer and will become more brutal than we expected at the beginning of the year." The Hungarian Prime Minister convened the Defence Council to discuss the country's defence strategy. Orban emphasised that the situation requires preparation for various scenarios.

The Defence Council, led by the Prime Minister, aims to coordinate government actions in light of the threats related to the conflict in Ukraine. Orban noted that transatlantic unity has deteriorated, necessitating Hungary to take additional precautionary measures.

Orban pointed out the differences between the "peacekeeping forces" led by former U.S. President Donald Trump and the leaders in Brussels and Kyiv. He also stated that Hungary, as an ally of Trump, must be ready for "the secret service operations, the smear campaigns and the pro-war propaganda campaigns launched against Hungary."

Currently, Hungary is conducting the "Voks 2025" referendum, in which citizens are asked about their support for Ukraine's entry into the European Union. The referendum campaign includes posters featuring images of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders, with the slogan "Don't let them decide for us."

Prime Minister Orban assured that Hungary is prepared for the upcoming challenges and will defend against any attempts to destabilise the country. The Hungarian government intends to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of its citizens.