Hungary's leader Orbán predicts Trump will end support for Ukraine in comments before EU summit

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Donald Trump's biggest European fan, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, is predicting that a new U.S. administration under Trump will cease providing support to Ukraine in its fight against Russia's full-scale invasion.

Orbán's comments were a signal that Trump's recent election could drive a wedge among EU leaders on the question of the war.

Hungary's leader is hosting the second of two days of summits Friday in the capital, Budapest, just days after Trump's election victory. The war in Ukraine will be high on the agenda for a gathering of the EU's 27 leaders, most of whom believe continuing to supply Ukraine with weapons and financial assistance are key elements for the continent's security.

The nationalist Hungarian leader has long sought to undermine EU support for Kyiv, and routinely blocked, delayed or watered down the bloc’s efforts to provide weapons and funding and to sanction Moscow for its invasion. He has sought to use the summits to make his case to other leaders that they should rethink their commitments to Ukraine.

In comments to state radio before Friday's summit, Orbán, who is close to both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, reiterated his long-held position that an immediate cease-fire should be declared, and suggested that Ukraine has already lost its fight.

“If Donald Trump had won in 2020 in the United States, these two nightmarish years wouldn’t have happened. There wouldn’t have been a war,” Orbán said. “The situation on the front is obvious, there’s been a military defeat. The Americans are going to pull out of this war.”

Armed conflict in Ukraine began in 2014, the same year Moscow illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula, when pro-Russia separatist forces declared part of the country’s east to be independent, resulting in clashes with Ukrainian troops. Thousands of people were killed in the fighting that continued in the east, including during Trump’s first term, before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

More recently, Russian forces have made modest gains in the east of Ukraine, although positions on the front lines have remained relatively stable for months. Still, as the duration of the war approaches 1,000 days, Ukraine’s forces are struggling to match Russia’s military, which is much bigger and better equipped.

Western support is crucial for Ukraine to sustain the costly war of attrition, and uncertainty over how long that aid will continue deepened this week with Trump's presidential election victory. The Republican has repeatedly taken issue with U.S. aid to Ukraine and declared he would bring a quick end to the conflict without detailing how.

At a gathering on Thursday of European leaders in Budapest, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy objected to Trump's claim that Russia’s war with Ukraine could be ended in a day, something he and his European backers fear would mean peace on terms favorable to Putin and involving the surrender of territory.

“If it is going to be very fast, it will be a loss for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said.

EU leaders have largely found workaround solutions to any obstruction to providing Zelenskyy with assistance, and have been able to signal their commitment to supporting Ukraine in its fight, regardless of who occupies the White House.

Arriving at Friday's summit, the EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, downplayed concerns that a new U.S. administration would lead Europe to change course.

“We cannot outsource our capacity of action. Whatever happens in the U.S., we have our interests, we have our values,” Borrell said.

Italy's hard-right leader, Premier Giorgia Meloni, who is aligned with Orbán on many issues but breaks with him sharply on Russia's war, said: “As long is there is a war, Italy is on the side of Ukraine.”

But Orbán has cast himself as the exemplar of some in the EU who are skeptical of providing indefinite support to Ukraine, especially in light of uncertainty over whether U.S. assistance could evaporate under Trump.

“This is a new situation,” he said of Trump's reelection. “If this is what's going on across the pond, then this is going to affect us Europeans too. Europe cannot finance this war alone.”

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, left, and European Council President Charles Michel, right, wait for the start of a plenary session during an EU Summit at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)

Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrives for a plenary session during an EU Summit at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk, center, arrives for an EU Summit at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

French President Emmanuel Macron, left, speaks with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban as he arrives for an EU Summit at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen waits for the start of a plenary session during an EU Summit at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks with the media as she arrives for an EU Summit at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Netherland's Prime Minister Dick Schoof arrives for an EU Summit at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda arrives for an EU Summit at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell speaks with the media as he arrives for an EU Summit at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen speaks with the media as she arrives for an EU Summit at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban gestures during arrivals for an EU Summit at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, center, speaks with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, right, as she arrives for an EU Summit at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, second left, speaks with the media at arrivals for an EU Summit at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center left, speaks with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, center right, as he arrives for the European Political Community (EPC) Summit at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr Josek)

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 8, 2024--

Modular Devices is excited to announce the addition of David Frank as Fractional Chief Commercial Officer, reinforcing the company’s commitment to strategic growth and leadership within the cleanroom solutions market. David brings a wealth of experience, having successfully built and scaled high-performing commercial teams across the life sciences, management consulting, and financial services industries. As the founder and CEO of Vantage PT LLC, David has over 20 years of experience driving commercial success through innovative strategies and solution-oriented approaches.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241108946427/en/

In his most recent role, David led commercial expansion efforts at Azzur Group, where he played an instrumental role in launching Azzur Cleanrooms on Demand™. His work in scaling sales, marketing, and operations teams has been recognized as transformative, with significant revenue growth and brand influence achieved through his leadership. David’s accomplishments include driving 40%+ growth across business lines, establishing a successful broker sales channel, and implementing a digital marketing strategy that generated millions of dollars in a marketing-influenced pipeline and topline revenue growth.

David holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from The Pennsylvania State University, along with Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and PMP certifications from Villanova University. David is known for his complex problem-solving, business process improvement, and global business transformation expertise. He is set to bring a strategic vision that aligns with Modular Devices’ mission to simplify client solutions and deliver industry-leading cleanroom technology.

Commenting on his new role, David expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the talented team at Modular Devices, providing direction and support in redefining the go-to-market strategy.” He added, “Harnessing the breadth of capabilities that exist under the brands that comprise Modular Devices is an exciting task ahead. I love the opportunity to craft solutions that simplify the lives of clients, and the Modular Devices portfolio does just that.”

Mark Koers, CEO, echoed this excitement, stating, “We are thrilled to have David join our leadership team as we continue on our growth trajectory. David’s experience in scaling solution-based commercial teams aligns perfectly with our vision and values, and I am confident that his contributions will enhance our market presence and drive Modular Devices forward.”

With David’s guidance, Modular Devices aims to solidify its position as a premier provider of cleanroom solutions, ensuring that its messaging, strategy, and client engagement continue to evolve and meet the highest industry standards.

About Modular Devices: Modular Devices is a leader in providing innovative cleanroom and mobile medical imaging solutions. With a commitment to quality and customer-focused service, Modular Devices offers a range of customizable solutions to meet the unique needs of its clients across various industries. For more information, visit ModularDevices.com/Cleanrooms

David Frank, Fractional Chief Commercial Officer (Photo: Business Wire)