Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, is seeking to establish a tri-nation bloc with the Czech Republic and Slovakia aimed at coordinating a Ukraine-skeptical stance in the European Union. On 28 October 2025, Orbán’s chief political adviser, Balázs Orbán, told Politico Europe that Budapest is engaging with Czech right-wing populist leader Andrej Babiš and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to coordinate positions ahead of EU summit meetings and run joint consultations. While the bloc is not yet formalised, its formation could hamper the EU’s efforts to maintain unified financial and military support for Ukraine.
Strategic implications for EU-Ukraine support
The proposed alliance—distinct from the traditional Visegrád Group framework by excluding Poland—could strengthen the negotiating position of members sceptical of Kyiv’s EU accession and military backing. Poland’s current government under Donald Tusk remains firmly pro-Ukraine, contrasting with Babiš and Fico who favour dialogue with Moscow and are critical of sanctions escalation. Analysts warn that a three-member bloc aligning on Ukraine issues may destabilise the consensus necessary for EU defence-funding packages and sanction mechanisms.
Domestic and party-level dynamics in Hungary
Internally, Orbán’s ruling party Fidesz is reinforcing its nationalist-sovereignist narrative as it prepares for parliamentary elections in 2026. The government’s anti-Brussels and anti-Ukraine framing is part of a broader strategy linked to concerns over rule-of-law scrutiny and withheld EU funds due to governance issues. Fidesz is concurrently strengthening ties within the European Parliament, targeting cooperation with the right-conservative European Conservatives and Reformists group and the nationalist Europe of Sovereign Nations network.
Risk to Ukraine’s international backers
For Ukraine, the emergence of a Hungary-Czechia-Slovakia axis raises significant challenges. If this bloc begins to coordinate votes, it could obstruct key EU decisions on Kyiv’s integration, military assistance and budgetary transfers. Furthermore, Moscow may exploit the rift to amplify narratives of “Western fatigue” with Ukraine, aiming to erode EU and trans-Atlantic unity.
Outlook and next steps
Although still in an informal stage, this initiative merits close monitoring. Brussels will need to assess how these three capitals might use procedural mechanisms to delay or weaken Ukraine-focused resolutions. Ukrainian and allied capitals may need to shore up support from other EU members and beyond to mitigate the potential impact of this emerging bloc.
