The long-serving Prime Minister is still managing to mobilize his supporters.
The summit that was supposed to bring Orban political dividends has been canceled, and new U.S. sanctions against Russian oil could seriously impact the Hungarian economy. The situation is worsening for Orban on the domestic front as well. He is facing a growing opposition movement led by his former ally Peter Madjar, who could pose serious competition in the elections this spring.
Orban's supporters gathered recently on a bridge over the Danube and began a march to the Hungarian Parliament building. The rally, which the organizers called a "march for peace," took place on the national day of remembrance for the failed anti-Soviet uprising of 1956, which was suppressed by the Red Army.
Participants shouted slogans in support of Orban and his assertion that foreign states threaten to drag Hungary into direct involvement in Russia's war in Ukraine. A large banner hung at the front of the march reading: "We do not want to die for Ukraine."
Addressing the crowd, Orban accused European supporters of Kyiv of dragging the EU into war and being ready to "send others to their deaths."
During his approximately 40-minute speech, Orban stated that Ukraine "has long ceased to be sovereign, independent, and is absolutely not self-sufficient."
He said he would support a strategic partnership between the EU and Kyiv, but that Ukraine "cannot be a member of either our military or economic alliance."
"They will bring war, take our money, and destroy our economy," the Hungarian Prime Minister stated.
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