Orban Took Offense At Zelensky's Words About "backstabbing"
- 27.01.2026, 19:05
The Hungarian Foreign Ministry has summoned the Ukrainian ambassador over the Ukrainian president's remarks.
The Hungarian Foreign Ministry has summoned Ukraine's ambassador in Budapest after Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky called on Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to "slap" "every Viktor who lives off European money and at the same time tries to sell European interests." This was reported by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, Index reports.
According to the minister, Zelensky and the Ukrainian government are allegedly openly trying to influence the outcome of the election.
"Obviously, they want the Tisza Party to win, because if the Tisza Party wins the election, they will immediately give the green light to Ukraine's accession to the European Union, immediately say 'yes' to Brussels to drag Hungary into war, and immediately allow Brussels to take the money of the Hungarian people to support the Ukrainian state," Szijjártó said."
Hungary conveyed to the Ukrainian ambassador that Hungary "will not tolerate anyone interfering in the Hungarian parliamentary elections.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had instructed Szijjártó the previous day to summon Ukraine's ambassador to Hungary over Zelensky's statements. Earlier, the Hungarian prime minister promised to "fight back" against those who "trample on Hungary's honor with insults." According to him, he himself tolerates insults, but if his country is attacked, "it's a different matter."
Orban believes that the Ukrainian president "crossed the line." He called Zelensky a man in desperate straits who for the fourth year "is unable or unwilling to put an end to the war," despite U.S. help.
Hungary and Ukraine have long been at odds, and Orban and Zelensky have actively criticized each other. On January 23, the Hungarian prime minister said the country would not let Ukraine into the EU in the next hundred years. The consent of all its members is needed for the country to join the union.