Zelensky's Blackmail: Threatens to Send Military Against Orbán if He Blocks EU Aid

On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a stern warning that borders on blackmail against Hungary’s blocking of the massive EU loan of 953 million kronor to Ukraine. This comes after Ukraine cut off Hungary’s oil supply through the pipeline from Russia. Zelensky demands to receive the funds from the EU, or else he may send Ukrainian troops to Orbán in Budapest.

At a press conference, Zelensky stated that he intended to buy weapons for the military—including starting payments for orders of the JAS Gripen fighter jet—using the grand loan made possible by EU taxpayers, who also bear all the risk.

“We hope that one person in the EU does not block 90 billion euros – or at least the first portion of the money – so that our soldiers get the weapons they need,” said Zelensky.

“Otherwise, we’ll simply give that person’s address to our armed forces – our guys can speak with him in their own language.”

How dare President Zelensky threaten ???????? Hungary’s Prime Minister?

‼️ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE‼️

While asking the European Union for money and weapons, Kyiv now resorts to threats — even saying “we will give @PM_ViktorOrban’s address to our armed forces.”

Hungary will not be… pic.twitter.com/yfYgxukrfk

— Balázs Orbán (@BalazsOrban_HU) March 5, 2026

Zelensky did not specify any individual, but the statement is interpreted as a clear signal against Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Orbán has previously blocked the EU’s latest sanctions package against Russia, which also halted the massive 953 billion kronor loan to Ukraine.

The background is the ongoing conflict concerning the Druzhba oil pipeline, which transports Russian oil through Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia. This pipeline is crucial for both countries’ energy supplies – before the disruption, it accounted for about 86-92 percent of Hungary’s oil imports and nearly all of Slovakia’s needs.

Hungary and Slovakia claim that Ukraine has deliberately stopped oil deliveries. Orbán has previously declared that Hungary is prepared to break what he calls a Ukrainian oil blockade by force. On social media, he has stressed: “There will be no deals, no compromises.”

Zelensky claims the pipeline was damaged by Russian attacks—something neither Hungary nor Slovakia find credible in this instance, as they continue to sell oil to EU countries. At the same time, Ukraine’s president says he does not want to restart the pipeline while Russia continues its war, but adds that repairs could technically be completed within six weeks.

Oil pipelines from Russia. Photo: US Department of Energy

Hungary: “Completely over the line”

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has harshly criticized both Ukraine and the EU’s handling of the conflict, arguing that Brussels does not care about one of its member states and instead is taking Ukraine’s side.

In a social media post, he wrote the following regarding the threat to send armed forces to Orbán’s address.

“This is completely over the line. This is Ukraine. This is the type of ‘culture’ that comes from Kyiv. And this is the man Brussels admires and the country they want to fast-track into the EU. No one can threaten Hungary or our prime minister.”