News Feed

Hungary wants Ukraine as 'buffer zone' between Russia, Europe

2 min read
Hungary wants Ukraine as 'buffer zone' between Russia, Europe
Hungarian European Union Affairs Minister Janos Boka talks to the media prior to the start of an EU General Affairs Council meeting in the Europa building on Feb. 25, 2025, in Brussels, Belgium. (Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)

Budapest does not support Ukraine's integration into the European defense structures, seeing the country instead as a buffer zone between Europe and Russia, Hungary's European Affairs Minister Janos Boka told the Financial Times in an interview published on March 20.

"We do not see the security of Europe in the integration of Ukraine into defense systems, but we see the need for a buffer zone between Russia and European defense structures, which serves the interests of both Russia and Europe," Boka told the news outlet.

Hungary, seen as the most Russian-friendly member of the EU, has consistently obstructed sanctions against Moscow and military aid for Kyiv while opposing Ukraine's accession to the bloc.

Boka said that Ukraine's potential role as a "buffer zone" depends on a "consensus among global actors," adding that if "either the U.S. or the EU does something in Ukraine without (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's approval, this in itself is a source of conflict."

The comments come as EU leaders gather for a European Council summit to discuss further support for Ukraine and increased defense spending. European leaders have also urged a faster pathway for Ukraine's accession, with some suggesting the year 2030 as a possible entry date.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed that Ukraine's accession would "destroy" his homeland. Hungary plans to hold an opinion survey on support for Ukrainian membership later this year.

While obstructing EU support for Kyiv for years, Orban has been further emboldened by Donald Trump's U.S. election victory, using it as an argument against continued backing for Ukraine.

Trump, whose team has maintained close contact with Budapest, has pushed for a swift peace deal while temporarily halting military and intelligence support for Ukraine.

‘Putin is stalling’ — Trump ‘ceasefire’ call met with skepticism in Kyiv
U.S. President Donald Trump said it was a “great call.” A Kremlin aide declared the world had “become a much safer place.” But in Kyiv, the reaction to the call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 18 has been noticeably more muted. “Judging by the news,
Article image
Avatar
Martin Fornusek

Senior News Editor

Martin Fornusek is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. He has previously worked as a news content editor at the media company Newsmatics and is a contributor to Euromaidan Press. He was also volunteering as an editor and translator at the Czech-language version of Ukraïner. Martin studied at Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, holding a bachelor's degree in security studies and history and a master's degree in conflict and democracy studies.

Read more
News Feed
Video

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, war has become a daily reality for thousands of Ukrainian children. Some Ukrainian military units, such as the Azov Brigade, offer boot camps for teenagers to teach them the basics of self-defense, first aid, dry firing, and other survival skills — helping them prepare for both the realities of today and the uncertainties of the future.

Show More