Scholz acknowledges EU split over Ukraine

The German chancellor says he and many other bloc leaders have strong disagreements with Hungary’s Viktor Orban

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has acknowledged a stark rift with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban over Ukraine. He also stressed that any talks on settling the conflict should include Kiev.

Scholz made the remarks while speaking after an informal meeting of EU leaders in Budapest on Friday. He noted that the deliberations – which also revolved around Ukraine – were “detailed and, incidentally, very passionate.”

The German chancellor noted that not all EU members were on the same page when it came to handling the crisis. “I don’t want to hide the fact that there are different positions. You can see that publicly. The views expressed by the Hungarian prime minister here on this issue are not the same as those I represent or those of many other friends in Europe who are very committed to saying that it is a high priority to guarantee Ukraine the necessary support,” he said.

Scholz stressed that Ukraine is the country which “has been attacked” and ultimately “belongs to the European Union and its values of democracy and the rule of law.” 

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The chancellor noted that there is “one principle on which almost everyone agrees… nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine”. “It must continue to be this way. Negotiations cannot be conducted over Ukraine’s head,” he stressed.

Orban has consistently criticized the EU’s support for Ukraine, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Moscow and Kiev, while denouncing Western sanctions against Russia as self-defeating. Following the US election, the Hungarian prime minister also suggested that President-elect Donald Trump, with whom he has established a close rapport, will pull Washington out of the Ukraine conflict.

“[Ukraine’s] situation on the front line is obvious. It’s a military defeat. The Americans will get out of this war,” he suggested, adding that “Europe alone cannot finance this war.”

Trump’s expected return to the White House has caused much anxiety in EU capitals, as the Republican has reportedly made no promises regarding continued US support for Kiev. According to a Bloomberg report, many EU leaders fear they won’t be able to foot the bill for arms deliveries without the US.

Ahead of the November vote, Trump vowed to resolve the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours if elected. According to media reports, possible plans could include the Trump administration pressuring Kiev to suspend its ambitions to join NATO and agreeing to the creation of a demilitarized zone.

Moscow has repeatedly rejected the option of freezing the conflict but has said it is “open to contact and dialogue,” including with Trump, over settling the crisis.