Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered one of his most pointed criticisms yet of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, saying that if Russia were not threatening Europe, Orbán would be free to “sit comfortably and focus on growing his belly.” Zelensky made the remark on Saturday while speaking at a major security conference in Berlin.
His comments underscored long‑standing tensions between Kyiv and Budapest. While most European nations rallied behind Ukraine after Russia’s full‑scale invasion, Orbán has maintained a notably close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky argued that Ukraine is the frontline shield protecting Europe from Russian aggression. If Moscow’s threat were neutralized, he said, countries like Moldova and Romania could live without fear of authoritarian pressure. Even Orbán, he added, would no longer need to think about expanding Hungary’s military to stop Russian tanks from rolling into Budapest he could simply “think about enlarging his belly.”
The Ukrainian leader stressed that his country is paying a heavy price to keep Europe safe, and that Europeans must understand the scale of Ukraine’s sacrifice. “What Ukrainians are enduring is for the security of the entire continent,” he said.
Ukraine formally applied for European Union membership just days after Russia’s 2022 invasion. But Orbán blocked the process, issuing a direct veto. While most EU states have reduced their dependence on Russian energy, Hungary has remained firmly aligned with its previous position.
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