Hungarian Prime Minister Orban explains conflict with Mr. Zelensky

According to TASS news agency, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he was forced to engage in a public conflict with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky because he perceived Mr. Zelensky's words as clearly threatening. Speaking in parliament, the head of government also stated that no one has the right to dictate to Budapest how to decide on the issue of Ukraine's accession to the European Union.

Prime Minister Orban noted that, until recently, he had avoided quarrels with President Zelensky and did not respond to each of his provocative statements. According to Mr. Orban, he tried to maintain “what is still possible” in the relationship between the two neighbors. However, the Hungarian leader was forced to abandon this idea after President Zelensky expressed dissatisfaction with Hungary's ongoing referendum on Ukraine's EU membership and said that Mr. Orban was “doing dangerous things.”

The Hungarian leader admitted that he "heard a threat in these words". "In international politics, this can only be interpreted as a serious threat and Hungarians cannot be threatened, and we cannot tolerate such threats" - Prime Minister Orban explained.

"I had to take this step and engage in an open conflict, which could have serious consequences, but I did it myself. The point is that we have to be clear with the Ukrainians and tell them that their actions are not in our interests," Mr. Orban stressed.

According to Mr. Orban, he “knows for sure that Mr. Zelensky agreed with Brussels to allow Ukraine to join the European Union by 2030” and wants this decision to be implemented by the Hungarians. In addition, Mr. Zelensky hopes that a “pro-Ukrainian” government will appear in Hungary, formed by the opposition Tisza party, which has the support of Brussels.

"Let's be honest! Those who are agents of Brussels are also friends of Mr Zelensky. But we must also make it clear that there will never be a situation where Kiev or Brussels will tell the Hungarians how they can use their rights under the basic law of the European Union," Prime Minister Orban warned.