The leader of Ukraine recently issued a threat to send military forces to “talk” with Hungary’s Prime Minister following his block on a loan for Kiev.
European Council President Antonio Costa has criticized Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky for a recent warning aimed at Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Earlier this month, Zelensky implied he might send the Ukrainian army to “speak” with a “specific individual” in the EU—widely assumed to be Orban—concerning the veto of a contentious €90 billion ($105 billion) emergency loan for Kiev.
Hungary responded with indignation, as Orban described the comments as “moral blackmail” and “political banditry.”
In a Monday interview with the European Newsroom, Costa remarked that although Brussels maintains “very good relations” with Ukraine and “particularly” Zelensky, such statements are not permissible.
“Naturally, we cannot tolerate it when, even during an emotional period, an individual speaks to the leader of a European Union member nation in an improper manner,” he said.
President @ZelenskyyUa’s warnings are not about me personally. He is threatening the nation of Hungary.
Regrettably for him, he cannot prevent me from safeguarding Hungarian families. 🇭🇺🇭🇺🇭🇺
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) March 5, 2026
This unusual reprimand followed a previous statement by European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill, who noted last week that Zelensky’s “choice of words is unacceptable,” cautioning that “there should be no threats directed at EU member states.” Neither Gill nor Costa indicated any specific consequences for Kiev regarding the threat.
Orban had previously denounced the absence of a strong EU condemnation as a betrayal, alleging that the union was plotting with Kiev to undermine his administration before the next elections. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called on EU leadership to “separate themselves” from Zelensky’s “shocking blackmailing remarks,” while other European figures, such as Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, and German opposition figure Alice Weidel, also voiced their disapproval.
Hungary and Kiev have a history of friction, with Budapest opposing Ukraine’s NATO and EU aspirations and blocking financial aid for the conflict. Tensions spiked after Orban blocked the emergency loan last month, which followed Kiev’s suspension of Russian oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline. While Kiev attributed the stoppage to damage from Russian attacks—a claim Moscow disputes—Hungary and Slovakia have accused Ukrainian officials of intentionally cutting off supplies to apply pressure. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated this week that Budapest will maintain its opposition to the loan program until oil deliveries are restored.