Orbán urges Zelenskyy to "change anti-Hungarian policy" in open letter

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of pursuing an "anti-Hungarian policy".

Source: Orbán in an open letter on X (Twitter); as reported by European Pravda

Details: Orbán said Zelenskyy has been, over the last four years, "unable to accept the position of the sovereign Hungarian government and the Hungarian people" regarding the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Quote: "For four years, you have been working to force Hungary into the war between your country and Russia. During this time, you have received support from Brussels and secured the backing of the Hungarian opposition."

More details: Orbán also claimed Zelenskyy, Brussels and the Hungarian opposition are "coordinating efforts to bring a pro-Ukraine government to power in Hungary".

He also referred to the Druzhba oil pipeline, which he said is "critical to Hungary's energy supply", accusing Zelenskyy of "blocking" it.

Quote: "Your actions are against Hungary's interests and endanger the secure and affordable energy supply of Hungarian families."

More details: In his "letter", Orbán urged the Ukrainian president to change his "anti-Hungarian policy".

Quote: "We, the Hungarian people, are not responsible for the situation in which Ukraine finds itself. We sympathise with the Ukrainian people, but we do not wish to participate in the war. We do not want to finance the war effort, and we do not want to pay more for energy."

More details: Orbán concluded by calling on Zelenskyy to "immediately reopen" the Druzhba pipeline and to "refrain from any further attacks on Hungary's energy security".

Orbán concluded the "letter" with a demand for "more respect for Hungary".

Background:

• Hungary has blocked a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine by refusing to vote in favour of one of the three pieces of legislation approved by the European Parliament that are required to release the funds.
• There are concerns within the EU that putting pressure on Orbán during an election campaign could be risky.
• On 25 February, Orbán claimed there is a "Ukrainian threat" to Hungary's energy system and announced the deployment of troops to protect the energy infrastructure.

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