Billy Kelleher: Labels Orban's Kowtowing 'Treason' to EU Values
Billy Kelleher, MEP, challenged colleagues in a parliamentary debate over energy dependency and Europe’s relationship with Russia. He argued that rising energy prices stem from the war in Ukraine and condemned recent concessions to Putin as a betrayal of European values.
Main argument
Billy Kelleher accused those opposing reductions in fossil fuel dependency of aligning with leaders such as Viktor Orban, Vladimir Putin and, more recently, President Trump. He said the debate reveals contrasting perspectives inside the chamber and warned against returning to dependence on authoritarian regimes for cheap oil and gas.
Energy and responsibility
Kelleher attributed the increase in energy prices primarily to the war in Ukraine and the wider geopolitical context, arguing this makes the case for reducing fossil fuel reliance stronger, not weaker. He insisted Europe must resist policies that deepen dependence on hostile suppliers.
Support for Ukraine
The MEP stressed the importance of standing firm with the people and government of Ukraine, including financial commitments such as the 90 billion euro loan planned for 2026 and 2027. He framed that support as a test of European solidarity and principles.
Values and accountability
Kelleher condemned what he called Orban’s recent kowtowing to Putin as shameful and described it as a sinful act of treason against European values. He called on members to defend the EU’s democratic principles and to hold treacherous behaviour to account.
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A reference was made to our dependency on energy, and listening to the debate here I think we live in parallel universes. The people who are complaining about our moves to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels are the same people that have been championing Orban and Putin inside in this chamber, and even more recently, President Trump. The fact of the matter is the increase in energy prices are primarily because of the war in Ukraine that Putin started five years ago, and in the context of Netanyahu and President Trump invading Iran. They are simple indisputable facts. The idea that we would be more dependent on fossil fuels simply would mean that we would have craven people like Orban who would be kowtowing consistently to Putin trying to ensure that he can receive cheap oil and gas from that dictatorship. It is clearly important that we stand firm with the people of Ukraine, with the government of Ukraine in providing the 90 billion euro loan for 2026 and 2027, and more importantly, that we deal with people who are treacherous to the principles and the values of this particular parliament, of the European Union in general, and the people of the European Union. It is shameful that people are justifying Orban's most recent kowtowing to Putin. It is a sinful, shameful act of treason to the European values.
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