On Jan. 3, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliya Sviridenko had stated that Ukraine would need around USD 800 billion over the next decade, to be raised through grants, loans, and private investment. An 18-page planning document outlining a “prosperity framework” to mobilize that amount in public and private funding for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction had been circulated to EU member states ahead of a Brussels summit.
In a video posted to Facebook on Jan. 14, Orbán announced the petition after Minister of EU Affairs János Bóka briefed the cabinet about Ukraine’s requested funds.
“Ukraine is demanding USD 800 bln from Europe for the next 10 years, and those in Brussels want this money to come from member states, including us, Hungarians,” Orbán said. He added that the cabinet unanimously agreed Hungary must reject such demands.
At a government press briefing the following day, Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office Gergely Gulyás claimed that Ukraine was effectively “demanding” another EUR 800 bln from Europe, with repayment contingent on Kyiv receiving reparations from Russia, in addition to a EUR 90 bln loan, which the European Parliament formally approved on Jan. 21.
According to a parliamentary statement, the loan would be financed using the margin of the EU’s common budget but would be implemented through enhanced cooperation, requiring only a subset of member states’ participation. The arrangement ensures that the financial obligations of the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia would not be affected. The European Council had already reached a political agreement on the package in December, with all heads of member states, including Orbán, acknowledging the decision.
The petition campaign triggered a diplomatic response from Kyiv on Jan. 22. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said Ukraine had summoned Budapest’s ambassador after Hungary reaffirmed its refusal to send taxpayer funds to Ukraine. Speaking ahead of a cabinet meeting, Szijjártó insisted the summons had followed the launch of the national petition.
“We consider this a blatant interference in Hungary’s internal affairs,” he said, emphasizing that decisions on spending Hungarian public funds rest solely with the Hungarian people.
Meanwhile, at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a speech criticizing Europe for lacking the courage to act decisively.
He characterized Europe as being “lost” and said it “still feels more like geography, history, a tradition, not a real political force, not a great power.” Zelensky also said, “Europe loves to discuss the future but avoids taking action today,” and questioned why Europe wouldn’t use frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine.
On Jan. 26, Orbán accused Zelensky of crossing “a line” in his address at Davos. In an English-language post on X, Orbán said Zelensky “once again placed the Hungarian government, and me personally, in his sights,” and criticized “every other European leader.” He quoted Zelensky as saying that “support sent to Ukraine is insufficient, the weapons are insufficient, and Europe’s determination is insufficient.”
Orbán said the EU had responded quickly to Zelensky’s criticism. Following the Davos remarks, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented a development roadmap on that same evening that “accepted every Ukrainian demand, USD 800 bln for Ukraine, accelerated EU accession by 2027, and further support all the way until 2040,” Orbán alleged.
“We will have a few words to say about this as well,” Orbán rejoined. “A national petition is coming, through which we can send a clear message to Brussels: We will not pay!”
Later that day, State Secretary Balázs Hidvéghi announced that questionnaires for the National Petition had been printed and would be mailed to voters later in the week. He urged Hungarians to “send a message to Brussels” that they would not fund the war, nor Ukraine’s operations for the next decade, nor pay higher utility bills because of the conflict.
On Jan. 27, Orbán announced he had instructed Szijjártó to summon Ukraine’s ambassador to Hungary, citing what he called “severely offensive and threatening” remarks from Ukrainian political leaders, including the president, against Hungary and its government.
He said national security agencies had assessed the situation and concluded that the comments were part of “a coordinated series of measures aimed at interfering in Hungary’s elections.” Orbán stressed that Hungary would not allow its sovereignty or the integrity of its electoral process to be put at risk.
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of January 30, 2026.
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