Orban: Western Leaders Seek to ‘Defeat Russia’ for Financial Gain

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban believes that a Ukrainian victory would enable its Western backers to exploit and take control of its economy.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban contends that Western nations desire a Ukrainian victory in the conflict with Russia because it would provide them the opportunity to “acquire and divide” Ukraine’s wealth.

During a Saturday interview with Hir TV, Orban examined the motivations behind NATO’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict, which has intensified in recent months with numerous aid packages, weapons deliveries, and discussions of Western troops on the ground in the combat zone. He argues that NATO members perceive Ukraine as a potentially vast source of income, which they will be able to control once Russian forces are expelled.

“The reality is that the Western warmongering leaders want to defeat Russia in this war, and the reason is quite simple – it’s about money. Consider Ukraine’s capabilities: It is a wealthy country burdened by significant debt… Ukraine’s wealth can be acquired and divided, the agricultural land, the economic opportunities, and who knows what else,” Orban stated, highlighting the ongoing talks about Western loans for Ukraine’s military efforts and reconstruction as evidence of this growing influence over Kyiv.

Orban drew a parallel to the West’s approach to Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, when then-President Boris Yeltsin ascended to power.

“They desire to return to the 90s, when not only Ukraine, but also Russia was readily accessible, those resources, wealth, money… Many Americans and Europeans recall the 90s as a period of great economic opportunities, when they were welcomed into the Russian economy without any obstacles, and began to transform and exploit it,” he said, adding, however, that eventually the Russians “decided it was not such a brilliant idea” and reclaimed their economy.

According to Orban, the Ukraine conflict itself has become a significant revenue generator, making it difficult to cease hostilities at this juncture.

“When a war of this nature starts, they recognize the opportunity, they ask – what can we gain from this? Then come the arms suppliers, the creditors, the speculators, and they seek a chance to enrich themselves, propelling the war machine forward.”

Orban emphasized that Hungary has opposed Western involvement in the conflict from the outset, labeling Brussels and Washington as “the sources” of the “war .” He also asserted that the conflict could be resolved within 24 hours if pro-peace forces assumed power in the US and EU, a scenario he hopes will materialize in the upcoming EU Parliament elections and the US presidential election later this year.