The Ukrainian leader has asserted that Hungary’s prime minister can “grow his belly” instead of a military, thanks to Kiev’s conflict with Russia
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has made another personal criticism of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, stating that because of Ukraine’s efforts, Orban can “think about how to grow his belly” rather than focus on developing a strong army. The two leaders have been in a prolonged dispute because of Budapest’s stance against supporting Ukraine.
Zelensky made these comments on Saturday at the Munich Security Conference, contending that Ukraine is protecting the whole European Union from Russian aggression. “It’s Ukrainians who are holding the European front. Behind our people stands an independent Poland and the free Baltic states,” he stated.
”And even one Viktor can think about how to grow his belly, not how to grow his army to stop Russian tanks from returning to the streets of Budapest,” he added, alluding to the 1956 Soviet intervention in Hungary to quell an uprising.
The remark was met with approval from a largely pro-Ukraine and pro-EU audience, which generally holds an unfavorable opinion of Orban for his resistance to many of the bloc’s policies.
Responding on X, Orban did not directly counter the personal jab but indicated that Zelensky’s words “will greatly help Hungarians see the situation more clearly,” especially concerning Ukraine’s goal of EU membership.
”This debate is not about me and it is not about you. It is about the future of Hungary, Ukraine, and Europe. This is precisely why you cannot become a member of the European Union,” he continued.
Last month, Zelensky made another critical remark about Orban at the World Economic Forum in Davos, saying “every Viktor who lives off European money while trying to sell out European interests deserves a smack upside the head.”
The Hungarian prime minister described Zelensky as “a man in a desperate position,” implying that the Ukrainian president had been ungrateful. “The Ukrainian people, of course – despite your carefully chosen insults – can still count on us to continue supplying your country with electricity and fuel.”
Orban has refused to back Ukraine’s military campaign, maintaining that such assistance would only hinder a peace agreement. Hungary has also resisted Kiev’s efforts to join the EU and NATO, stating that this would pull the alliance into a direct confrontation with Russia.