Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán sharply criticized the European Commission on Friday over its latest emergency preparedness strategy, accusing EU leaders of fueling public anxiety and preparing the continent for war.
“What Are These People Thinking?”
Speaking on state radio Kossuth, Orbán reacted to a recent EU proposal encouraging citizens to stock up on food and supplies for 72 hours in case of disaster. While Brussels framed the plan as a broader resilience measure—covering everything from cyberattacks to natural disasters—Orbán dismissed it as a “war message.”
“Brussels is preparing for war, and this must be taken seriously. It’s terrifying. What are these people thinking?” he asked rhetorically, as reported by Digi24.
Orbán claimed there is “no indication” that any NATO country is under threat of attack, and stressed that “no war is threatening Hungary.” He argued that instead of stoking fear, EU officials should be focusing on diplomacy. “Brussels should support the United States' aspirations for peace,” he added.
A Familiar Rift
The prime minister's comments once again highlight the ongoing tensions between Hungary and the rest of the European bloc over its response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Orbán has refused to send weapons to Kyiv and has consistently opposed Ukraine’s EU membership path.
He also portrayed the EU’s new crisis-readiness framework as part of a broader geopolitical split. “There is a transatlantic fracture,” Orbán claimed, arguing that while the EU escalates tensions, the U.S.—under President Donald Trump—is working toward peace.
The European Commission defended its proposal earlier this week, emphasizing the need for readiness in light of increasingly complex threats. “Our citizens, member states, and companies need the right tools to act—both to prevent crises and to respond quickly when disaster strikes,” Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement.
Orbán, however, remains one of the EU’s most vocal skeptics of deeper integration and continues to cast Brussels as out of step with voters’ real priorities.
