politics
March 18, 2026
Senior EU official rebukes Zelensky over Orban threat
European Council President Antonio Costa has rebuked Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky over a recent threat directed at Hungary’s Viktor Orban
TL;DR
- European Council President Antonio Costa criticized Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky for threatening remarks about Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
- Zelensky's comments were made after Orban vetoed a €90 billion emergency loan for Kiev.
- Hungary's Orban called Zelensky's remarks 'political banditry' and 'moral blackmail.'
- The European Commission also deemed Zelensky's language 'not acceptable' and warned against threats to EU member states.
- Several European politicians, including Slovakian PM Robert Fico, criticized Zelensky's statements.
- Hungary has consistently opposed Ukraine's EU and NATO bids and funding for its war effort.
- The dispute intensified after Ukraine halted Russian oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia, with Kiev citing damage from Russian strikes and Hungary accusing Ukraine of deliberate pressure.
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