Big protests in Budapest and Berlin against EU & NATO warmongering

Hungarians reject EU’s war stance, Orban declares at massive peace march

Hundreds of thousands of Hungarians took to the streets of Budapest on Saturday, participating in a peace march that criticised the European Union’s escalating tensions with Russia. The demonstration, culminating with a speech by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, highlighted opposition to Brussels’ policies, which Orban claims are pushing Europe towards a global conflict.

🇭🇺 01. Juni Budapest – Grosser Friedensmarsch mit Viktor Orbán!

Wir schreiben Geschichte!#Orbán #Ungarn pic.twitter.com/PAsasXVqKS

— Ignaz Bearth (@IgnazBearth) June 1, 2024

The marchers travelled from the iconic Chain Bridge to Margaret Island, waving flags, chanting pacifist slogans, and holding signs with messages such as “No war” and “Give us peace, Lord.”

In his address, Orban emphasised Hungary’s desire to avoid repeating the devastating losses of the 20th century. “In the two world wars, Hungarians lost 1.5 million lives, along with their future children and grandchildren,” he reminded the crowd.

Anti war protests in Budapest.
Russia is not our enemy.
NATO is.pic.twitter.com/7DKoeis85O

— DD Denslow 🇬🇧 (@wolsned) June 1, 2024

Orban firmly stated that Hungary will not participate in the conflict with Russia: “We will not go to war. We will not go to the East for a third time, we will not go to the Russian front again.” He urged support for the Fidesz party’s “pro-peace and pro-sovereignty” agenda in the upcoming European Parliament elections. Since Russia’s military operation in Ukraine began in February 2022, Orban has consistently criticized the EU’s sanctions on Moscow and refused to provide military aid to Ukraine, arguing that such measures harm Europe’s own interests.

BUDAPEST-HEUTE😍🇭🇺PRO FRIEDEN 🇭🇺 PRO ORBÁN 🇭🇺 GEGEN WAFFENLIEFERUNGEN an die UKRAS😍 pic.twitter.com/bMmTdnTykm

— SILBER-FRAU (@SILVERF26971227) June 1, 2024

Protests in Berlin demand halt to German military aid for Ukraine

In Berlin, a large crowd of protesters marched on Saturday to demand an end to military aid for Ukraine and to condemn the German government’s alignment with U.S. policies. The demonstrators carried flags and banners with slogans like “Stop war and hate speech against Russia,” and “NATO is the aggressor, not Russia,” accusing Berlin of compromising its sovereignty by following directives from Washington. Activists warned that supplying Kiev with long-range weapons makes Germany complicit in the conflict, posing significant risks.

Footage from the protest shows participants moving from Alexanderplatz, highlighting their opposition to the German government’s stance.

One protester, identified as George, criticised the government for harming Germany’s economy and for escalating the war by providing weapons capable of striking deep into Russia.

Another activist called for Berlin to avoid creating a war economy and to prevent any land war. This demonstration follows statements from the German government supporting Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied weapons beyond its territory. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded by accusing NATO of deliberately provoking further conflict, warning that such actions would only extend the war.