The conflict between Kyiv and Budapest is coming to a head. In the past few days, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made several unusually harsh attacks on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The background is blocked EU aid, disputes over Russian energy supplies and Orbán’s critical line towards Ukraine.
ROBERT GHEMENT / KEYSTONE
In an interview with Politico Zelenskyj explained that Orbán was blocking important financial and military aid for Kiev and was engaging in “blackmail.” Europe must prepare for this and develop a “Plan B” to avoid further blockages.
One comment at a press appearance in Kyiv was particularly sharp. Zelensky said he hoped “a certain person” in the EU would no longer block aid to Ukraine. Otherwise, “the address of this person” will be given to the Ukrainian soldiers so that they can “call and speak to him in their own language.” Observers saw the statement as a clear tip against Orbán.
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The Ukrainian president also criticized Hungary for showing little solidarity with the attacked country. You never hear words like “We are grateful to Ukraine” or “We are sorry for the victims” from Budapest, said Zelensky. Instead, Hungary is constantly demanding new concessions.
Additional tensions arose after Ukrainian bank employees were detained in Hungary and assets were confiscated. In this context, Zelensky spoke of “bandit methods” and called on European partners not to remain silent.
Since the beginning of the Ukraine war, Viktor Orbán has been one of the loudest critics of the EU’s line and has repeatedly blocked new sanctions or financial aid for Kiev. Zelensky accuses him of actually serving Moscow’s interests.
