In an interview with Hungarian news outlet HírTV, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán claimed that the true motive of Western supporters of Ukraine in its conflict with Russia is to acquire the country’s natural resources and expand their influence. He stated that Ukraine is rich in resources, which some Western backers are looking to exploit. The Hungarian leader also expressed his belief that the West is playing a dangerous game by escalating the conflict, pointing out that Germany has gone from committing only to sending helmets at the start of the war to now having German tanks running around Ukraine and the entire European economy being cut off from the Russian energy system.
Orbán emphasized that war is not an inevitable consequence but rather a result of human decisions, implying that peace could be achieved within 24 hours if Europe were to unite around the idea of peace. This stance has made him a leading advocate for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow. He also highlighted Ukraine’s vast stockpile of critical minerals worth trillions of dollars, which must not fall into Russian hands or be shared with China.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham confirmed Orbán’s assertion in an interview on Face the Nation, stating that Ukraine sits on 10 to $12 trillion worth of critical minerals and could become one of Europe’s richest countries if it can be prevented from falling into Russian or Chinese control. The potential economic benefits of reconstructing Ukraine after the war have not gone unnoticed by globalist firms such as BlackRock, which has reportedly been tapped to manage reconstruction efforts and attract outside investment.
As a result, Orbán’s assertion that the conflict is primarily about resources appears valid, with significant economic opportunities on offer for those who can help Ukraine rebuild its war-torn economy and exploit its natural resources.