Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán hit back at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday. The response came after Zelenskyy singled out Hungary's leader during the World Economic Forum in Davos, RBC-Ukraine reported.
Zelenskyy's jab came during his 22 January speech calling on Europe to stop deliberating and start acting.
"Every 'Viktor' who lives off European money while trying to sell out European interests deserves a smack upside the head," Zelenskyy declared. The remark was an unmistakable reference to Hungary's pro-Kremlin leader.
"If he feels comfortable in Moscow, it doesn't mean we should let European capitals become little Moscows." — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Davos 2026
Orbán's response to Zelenskyy's insult
In response, Orbán took to X, accusing Zelenskyy of being "unable or unwilling" to end the war. He also dismissed Zelenskyy's remarks as "carefully chosen insults."
Additionally, the Hungarian PM reiterated his refusal to provide military aid to Kyiv. He stated, however, that Hungary would continue supplying electricity, fuel, and support for refugees.
"Life itself will decide the rest, and everyone will get what they deserve," Orbán wrote.
The man betting on Russia's victory
Orbán's wounded reaction fits a pattern. He continues positioning Hungary as Europe's most reliable friend to Moscow.
Previously, he stated he expects the war to end by 2027. After that, he argued, EU sanctions on Russia should be lifted. He claims the bloc's plans to ban Russian energy supplies to Hungary are "extremely harmful."
In December 2025, Orbán went further. He suggested the US could "make peace" with Russia while ignoring both Ukraine and Europe. Moreover, he added that Hungary stood to gain from normalized US-Russia relations.
Zelenskyy's broader message at Davos was clear: Europe cannot afford leaders who take EU money while undermining EU interests.
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Hungary feeds the Russian war machine
The exchange highlights a deeper tension. While Orbán positions himself as a peace advocate, his actions tell a different story.
Hungary has consistently blocked EU military aid packages for Ukraine. This includes a €20 billion package in March 2025. It also includes €6.6 billion in European Peace Facility funds.
Meanwhile, Budapest has actively helped Russia evade sanctions. Leaked documents published by InformNapalm in August 2025 exposed how Hungarian firm Milspace Kft offered to repair Russia's sanctioned military helicopters. Milspace Kft routed spare parts from Moscow through Kazakhstan to bypass restrictions on Mil Mi-series helicopters used against Ukrainian troops.
Zelenskyy's Davos speech placed Orbán's stance in stark terms: "When you refuse to help a people fighting for freedom, the consequences return, and they are always negative."
