BUDAPEST - Europe should focus on preparing for peace rather than war, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday in an interview with national radio Kossuth.

"Europe should not be preparing for war but for peace," Orban said, adding that the continent's biggest problem is the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

"What is Europe's biggest problem? The war is the biggest problem. Continuing the war means continuing the problem. The European Union has sent 180 billion euros ($210 billion) directly into this war," he said.

Concerning the upcoming meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump scheduled to take place in Budapest, the Hungarian leader said preparations have started, with the foreign ministers of the United States and Russia working to "try to settle the outstanding issues within a week, then a week after that they (Trump and Putin) could be in Budapest".

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He described Hungary as the only pro-peace country in Europe, which has "consistently, openly, loudly - and indeed actively" stood for peace over the past three years.

While there are many possible venues outside Europe for the high-level meeting between the United States and Russia, within Europe, there is no other place but Budapest, he said.

The prime minister also urged Europe to "throw out" its plans and "create a peace plan... that has a security pillar".

Orban said he already talked with Trump and will also speak with Putin to prepare for their meeting, adding the cost and inconvenience of the summit are worth it, because nothing can bring greater profit than peace.

"If there is peace, a new phase of economic development can be opened, and that is in the interest of every Hungarian family," he said.

READ MORE: Orban accuses West of plundering Ukraine under guise of protection

Trump on Thursday said he and other "high-level advisors" will meet Putin in Budapest to discuss how to end the conflict in Ukraine. The meeting will be the second time the leaders have come face-to-face during Trump's second term, and could happen within the next two weeks, Trump said in a post on Truth Social.