Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the European Union has already “lost” the war in Ukraine and that Kyiv’s chances of defeating Russia on the battlefield are “impossible,” according to remarks he made on 9 July. “This war cannot be won on the frontlines. This war can be ended through diplomacy,” Orban said, adding that he had tried to convince Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to seek a negotiated settlement but was “flatly refused.” Orban’s comments underscore his long-standing criticism of EU military support for Kyiv and come as member states debate additional aid packages and security guarantees. Budapest has repeatedly argued for an immediate cease-fire and peace talks, setting it apart from other EU capitals that continue to back Ukraine with weapons and financial assistance.