Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that growing rifts between the United States and the European Union on major strategic issues — including the conflict in Ukraine — could result in Washington normalizing relations with Moscow as early as 2026, without European involvement.

Speaking to Hungary’s M1 television channel while summing up the outgoing year and looking ahead, Orban said the long-standing idea of a united Western front no longer reflects reality. In his view, the administration of U. S. President Donald Trump is focused on finding a negotiated settlement to the Ukraine conflict and is already engaged in talks with Russia. At the same time, EU leaders continue to supply weapons to Kiev and are betting on a military approach.

This divergence in strategy, Orban argued, may become decisive in 2026. He suggested that the key question will be whether tensions between the United States and Europe escalate to the point where Washington reaches a peace agreement with Moscow independently of its European partners.

Orban also made clear that Budapest is interested in restoring normal relations between Russia and the West, seeing this as a pathway to renewed economic cooperation. He explained that if agreements between Washington and Moscow lead to the lifting of sanctions, the Russian market would once again become accessible to Hungary.

Within this broader context, the Hungarian prime minister reaffirmed his country’s position in favor of a swift settlement of the conflict in Ukraine and voiced support for the U.S. administration’s efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution.