PM Orbán says Zelensky’s threat targets Hungary, not him personally

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has responded to remarks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying the comments were not directed at him personally but at Hungary as a country.

Orbán says the Ukrainian president’s threat is not aimed at him, but at the whole country

The exchange follows rising tensions between the two leaders over energy supplies and European Union financial support for Ukraine. Orbán stated that Hungary would “break the oil blockade” affecting the country, insisting that no threats would deter him from defending Hungarian interests, writes HVG.

The dispute intensified after Zelensky suggested that he hoped no one would block a new EU loan for Ukraine, adding that otherwise he could provide the address of those responsible to the Ukrainian army so they could “have a conversation”. The comment was widely interpreted in Hungary as referring to the Hungarian prime minister.

Orbán later clarified that the measures he mentioned earlier would not involve military force. According to the prime minister, Hungary remains on the side of peace and would rely on financial and diplomatic tools to resolve the issue.

Oil pipeline shutdown behind growing tensions

The conflict between Budapest and Kyiv has been building since the shutdown of the Druzhba oil pipeline in late January, which disrupted crude deliveries to Hungary. In response, Hungarian energy company MOL Group requested the release of strategic oil reserves in mid-February.

Hungary has also warned that it could block a proposed €90 billion EU loan package for Ukraine if oil deliveries are not restored. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó described Zelensky’s remarks as going “beyond all limits”, arguing that threatening the leader of an EU and NATO member state is unacceptable.

Here’s the full timeline of the conflict between Hungary and Ukraine:

• Hungary seeks Croatia’s help to secure Russian oil supplies while putting the blame on Ukraine
• Hungary and Slovakia turn to Brussels over oil transit dispute with Croatia, and on the very same day, Hungary stopped diesel fuel deliveries to Ukraine
• Hungarian government orders Russian oil shipments by sea as Druzhba pipeline remains offline
• European Commission to hold extraordinary meeting after Hungary and Ukraine dispute
• “No oil, no cash”: Hungary threatens to block EUR 90 billion EU loan for Ukraine over stalled oil supplies, meanwhile Orbán says continuing the war is in Ukraine’s interest, Hungary may hit back with energy measures
• Hungary’s energy security at risk? PM Orbán summons emergency talks over pipeline halt
• Hungary blocks EU sanctions package over halted Ukrainian oil deliveries
• EU sanctions blocked as Hungary and Slovakia refuse to back the 20th Russia sanctions package – UPDATE
• Hungary deprived of Russian crude for a month as Ukraine announces fresh postponement – how long will we endure?
• Orbán on phone with Slovak PM Fico: Hungarian and Slovakian experts may examine the Druzhba oil pipeline
• Orbán accuses Ukraine of “oil blockade” as Middle East tensions and V4 rifts deepen Hungary’s energy fears
• PM Orbán promises to present “evidence” regarding condition of Druzhba pipeline on Monday
• Zelensky says he wouldn’t repair the Druzhba pipeline, Hungary says it’s in better shape than ever, then the Ukrainian president seemingly threatens Orbán