'Ukraine does not defend Hungary', Orban says in Zelenskyy rebuff

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has dismissed accusations from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he is showing “specific support for Putin” by obstructing Ukraine’s EU membership talks.

In an interview with Euronews on Tuesday, Zelenskyy said he had no intention of offering concessions to Budapest, arguing that Hungary should instead support Ukraine’s defence of Europe.

"I don't think that I have to offer something to Viktor Orbán," Zelenskyy said.

"I think that Viktor Orbán has to offer something for Ukraine, which is protecting the whole Europe from Russia, and even now, during this war, we did not get any support from him, support for our vision of life," he added.

Orbán dismissed the comments in a statement released shortly after the Euronews interview.

“I must reject the suggestion that Hungary owes Ukraine anything. Ukraine does not defend Hungary from anyone or anything. We did not ask for such a thing, and we never will. Hungary’s security is guaranteed by our national defence capabilities and by NATO, of which Ukraine is fortunately not a member,” Orbán said.

He noted that Hungary has provided approximately €200 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine and continues to supply gas and electricity to the war-torn country.

The Prime Minister also reiterated Hungary’s opposition to Ukraine’s EU membership bid.

“Hungary does not and will not support Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, because it would bring the war into Europe and take the money of Hungarians to Ukraine,” Orbán said, adding that he would prefer to see Ukraine as a strategic partner of the EU rather than a full member.

Hungary continues to block the opening of EU accession chapters with Ukraine, citing security and economic concerns. Earlier this year, the Hungarian government held a non-binding national consultation on Ukraine’s membership, in which 95% of respondents opposed the idea.

Instead, he says he is in favour of a "strategic partnership" with Ukraine.

Tensions between Hungary and Ukraine have escalated over energy security since the summer following Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s Druzhba pipeline that temporarily halted oil deliveries to Hungary on several occasions.

Budapest decried the strikes as “outrageous and unacceptable” while Kyiv accused Hungary of not doing enough to wean itself off Russian fossil fuels and therefore funding part of the country's war machine.

This point should be one addressed between Orban and US President Donald Trump when they meet on Friday in the US.