Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky escalated his rhetoric against Hungary and parts of the European Union on Thursday, prompting a sharp personal response from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as relations between Kyiv and Budapest remain strained.
In remarks that appeared to directly target Orbán, Zelensky warned that hostile forces were exploiting divisions within Europe itself. “We see that the forces that aim to destroy Europe are not wasting a single day. They can operate freely, even within the European Union,” Zelensky said during his speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“Every Viktor who lives on European money while selling out European interests deserves a tassel on his hat,” he added in a thinly-veiled attack on the Hungarian prime minister. “And even if he feels comfortable in Moscow, we should not let European capitals become little Moscows.”
The Ukrainian president’s comments were widely interpreted as an attempt to insert himself into Hungary’s domestic political debate ahead of April’s crucial parliamentary elections, echoing accusations from Hungary’s opposition that Orbán’s government is overly accommodating toward Russia.
Dear President @ZelenskyyUa,
It seems to me that we will not be able to come to an understanding. I am a free man who serves the Hungarian people. You are a man in a desperate position who, for the fourth year now, has been unable or unwilling to bring a war to an end—despite…
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) January 22, 2026
Orbán responded directly on social media, rejecting Zelensky’s remarks and pushing back against criticism of Hungary’s position on the war. “I think we will not understand each other. I am a free man who serves the Hungarians,” Orbán wrote. “You are a man in a difficult situation who has been unable or unwilling to end a war for four years, despite the fact that the President of the United States is providing all the help he can.”
He added that Hungary would not continue military support for Ukraine, while stressing that humanitarian assistance would continue. “Therefore, despite your flattery, we cannot continue to support your war effort,” Orbán said tongue-in-cheek. “Of course, the Ukrainian people, despite your selective insults, can count on us to continue supplying your country with electricity and fuel, as well as helping refugees from Ukraine. Life will take care of the rest, and everyone will get what they deserve.”
Orbán also took aim at Brussels for sending billions more to Ukraine.
Yesterday in Davos, President @ZelenskyyUa crossed a line.
There is nothing new in the fact that, as elections approach in Hungary, he once again placed the Hungarian government, and me personally, in his sights. What was surprising, however, was that in his speech he also…
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) January 23, 2026
Zelensky’s criticism of Hungary formed part of a broader attack on Europe’s foreign policy response. Opening with a reference to the film Groundhog Day, he said repeated diplomatic efforts had failed to end the war. “That is how we live now,” Zelensky said, describing a cycle of stalled negotiations.
He argued that Europe must do more to defend itself and questioned the bloc’s strategy. Sending 40 soldiers to Greenland, he said, would not change Europe’s security position, asking what message such moves send “to Putin, to China.”
Zelensky also accused European allies and the United States of failing to prevent companies from selling missile components to Russia and criticized the EU for not acting decisively on frozen Russian assets. While thanking leaders for freezing those assets, he said that “when the time came to use those assets to defend against Russian aggression, the decision was blocked. Putin managed to stop Europe. Unfortunately.”
On security guarantees, Zelensky said “the backstop of President Trump is needed,” and claimed that documents aimed at ending the war were “nearly ready” following his meeting with the U.S. president. He also said Ukraine’s team would hold a trilateral meeting with the United States and Russia in the United Arab Emirates starting Friday, adding that Russia must be prepared to make compromises.
The exchange comes as Hungary prepares for parliamentary elections scheduled for April 12, while Ukraine remains under martial law. Zelensky is expected to remain in office for the foreseeable future, despite elections previously being due no later than March 2024.
Ukraine has said holding elections during wartime would be extremely difficult. On Monday, Reuters reported that Ukraine will face enormous challenges in organizing its first elections since Russia’s 2022 invasion, citing the head of the country’s Central Election Commission.
“Bringing Ukraine’s voter registry up to date and making the proper preparations for a vote will take significant time,” Oleh Didenko told Reuters, pointing to destroyed infrastructure and millions displaced by the war.
The post ‘I am a free man who serves the Hungarian people’ — Orbán hits back after Zelensky singles out Hungary in Davos speech appeared first on Remix News.
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