london –

Right-wing European politicians have called on the West to stop supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggressors, with hundreds gathering in Brussels this week for a conference of European countries’ conservatism that ends on Wednesday.

The mayor of Brussels tried to shut down the meeting on security grounds, sparking accusations of violating free speech rights.

Orban’s speech

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban topped the list of speakers at the event. He has familiar enemies in his sights: the European Union, immigration and multiculturalism.

“I think countries have the right to decide their own future. So if someone wants to try to create a mixed society, a Christian-based Muslim community, and as a liberal thing the outcome will be good – do it “This is your destiny, your future – but don’t force us to do this,” Orban told the meeting. “We don’t think mixing the two civilizations will lead to good results.”

Ukraine Aid

Just hours before attending a special meeting of EU heads of state at the nearby European Council, the Hungarian leader criticized Western support for Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggressors and said Hungary would maintain ties with Moscow.

“Ukraine is now only a protectorate of the West. Therefore, without receiving funds and weapons from the EU and the United States, Ukraine as a country will cease to exist,” he said on Wednesday, largely echoing Kremlin talking points. “So, it’s no longer a sovereign state.”

“Right-wing script”

Georges Samaras, a political analyst at King’s College London and an expert on the European far right, said Orban has become the figurehead of the European right.

“Victor Orbán is perhaps the strongman who unites the far right – both the right and the center right follow his lead because he has had great success in imposing authoritarian practices and authoritarian regimes in his own country. I believe in the far right The same tactics are being tried now,” Samaras told VOA.

“The danger of the far right is here,” Samaras added. “But it has always been here, and now it is openly normalized by elites who are willing to work with those political actors and entities to govern and potentially abuse democratic institutions.”

EU elections

Despite widespread criticism from European and U.S. allies, Orban has denied undermining Hungary’s democratic institutions.

The conservative meeting takes place ahead of European Parliament elections scheduled for June. “It’s a merging of different manifestos into one. Usually, when these meetings are held, they try to agree on ideological commitments for the coming years,” Samaras said.

police action

The meeting was nearly canceled on Tuesday after Belgian Mayor Emile Kiir ordered the venue closed due to public safety concerns and police cordoned off the venue.

However, an emergency court ruling on Tuesday night overturned the mayor’s order. Nigel Farage, a former member of the European Parliament and Brexit campaigner who spoke at the conference, said the mayor’s behavior was an example of what they called left-wing “cancel culture”.

“We can see that in Brussels, the birthplace of globalism, the legitimate views of those who are about to win national elections are no longer accepted because if you don’t agree with closer alliances, you must be a bad person,” Farage told reporters on Tuesday.

Efforts to end the meeting have been criticized by politicians across the political spectrum, including Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who called the move “unacceptable.”

Opinion polls suggest center-right and far-right parties will gain seats in June’s European elections.European Union Survey released this week This suggests that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and European defense and security are priorities for voters.