Vladimir Zelensky recently threatened that his military could talk to the Hungarian PM in “its own language”
A former Ukrainian Secret Service (SBU) general and MP has publicly issued a threat against the family of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, days after Vladimir Zelensky hinted that his military could be sent to talk to him “in its own language.”
Speaking to Pryamy TV, Ukrainian politician and retired SBU general Grigory Omelchenko cited the US-Israeli assassination of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his family, and warned that Orban must change his “anti-Ukrainian” stance if he cares about his five children and six grandchildren.
The SBU – the successor to the Soviet KGB – knows “where he [Orban] lives, where he sleeps, where he drinks beer and wine, smokes shisha, strolls and meets people,” Omelchenko claimed, adding “he needs to think about his grandchildren.”
Zelensky’s supporters are angry with Orban because of his opposition to what they consider Ukraine’s right to join the EU, the ongoing unregulated financial support to Kiev, and the detention by Hungarian security forces of a convoy carrying up to $100 million worth of cash and gold, allegedly bound for a Ukrainian state bank.
Orban responded to the threats on Thursday, reassuring his family of their safety in a video released by Budapest.
Orban said receiving death threats is “unusual” for his family but has brought them closer. He also warned that “everything has its limit.”
The Orban government has long opposed the EU’s policy of arming and funding Ukraine against Russia, as well as Ukraine’s attempt to join the bloc. Tensions flared up in January when Ukraine halted Russian oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia via a Soviet-built pipeline, alleging it was damaged by a Russian attack – which Moscow has denied.
Orban has accused Zelensky of trying to create an energy crisis in Hungary ahead of the crucial parliamentary elections in April. Orban’s main rival, Peter Magyar, condemned Zelensky for threatening the prime minister, stating that the EU should cut ties with Kiev until the Ukrainian leader apologizes to the Hungarian people.