Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sparked a diplomatic row after alluding to providing the address of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to Ukrainian troops, escalating tensions over stalled financial aid from the European Union. The remarks come as Ukraine urgently seeks economic support amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.
The European Commission strongly condemned Zelenskyy’s comments on Friday, March 6, 2026, stating that “that type of language is not acceptable” and that “there must not be threats against EU member states,” according to Commission deputy chief spokesperson Olof Gill. The EU is calling for all parties to de-escalate the increasingly inflammatory rhetoric.
EU criticizes Zelenskyy for his threatening words about Orbán.
Foto: BLONDET ELIOT / STELLA PICTURES
The dispute centers on a €90 billion loan package for Ukraine, which Hungary has vetoed. Budapest alleges that Ukraine intentionally halted the flow of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline. Kyiv maintains the pipeline was damaged by a Russian drone attack in January. This development underscores growing friction between Ukraine and one of its EU neighbors at a critical juncture in the war.
Zelenskyy made the remarks on Thursday, March 5, 2026, stating, “We hope that one person in the European Union will not block the 90 billion euros — or at least the first tranche of it — so that Ukrainian soldiers receive the weapons they need. Otherwise, we will simply give the address of that person to our Armed Forces — our guys can call him and speak to him in their own language.”
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has blocked the EU’s large loan package to Ukraine.
Foto: CHRIS KLEPONIS / UPI / SHUTTERSTOCK EDITORIAL / IBL
EU: “Threats are not acceptable”
Orbán’s spokesperson, Zoltan Kovacs, responded to Zelenskyy’s statement, calling the threats and blackmail “outrageous” and stating that Hungary “cannot be intimidated.”
The escalating tensions come after Orbán vowed on social media to “break the Ukrainian oil blockade by force.” Ukraine subsequently accused Hungary of kidnapping seven employees of the state-owned Oschadbank and seizing millions in cash and gold, though the bank employees were later released, BBC News reports.
Zelenskyy indicated on Thursday that he is prepared to repair and restart the Druzhba pipeline within a month if the EU formally requests it and Orbán lifts his veto on the €90 billion loan, the Kyiv Independent reported. The situation highlights the complex geopolitical challenges facing Ukraine as it seeks continued international support.
The European Commission emphasized the need for a cooling of tensions, stating, “Right now, there is a lot of escalation and inflammatory rhetoric. We believe that such rhetoric from all sides is neither helpful nor contributes to achieving the common goals we all have here.”
