Vance slams Zelensky's 'preposterous' threat to Orban

US Vice President J.D. Vance has strongly condemned what he described as a "completely scandalous" threat by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky toward Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. During a visit to Budapest on Wednesday, Vance revealed that Orban informed him about remarks Zelensky made in early March, in which the Ukrainian leader suggested he would give Orban's address to Ukrainian armed forces to "talk to him in their own language." Vance called these words "preposterous and unacceptable," emphasizing that no foreign head of state should threaten an ally in this manner.

Zelensky's threat emerged in the context of Hungary's opposition to a €90 billion EU loan package for Ukraine, coinciding with Hungary's seizure of up to $100 million in cash and bullion destined for Kiev. Zelensky expressed frustration, hinting that if Orban did not lift his veto, Ukrainian soldiers might intervene. A week later, a former officer of Ukraine's secret police, Grigory Omelchenko, made a more explicit threat, urging Orban to "think about his five children and six grandchildren" if he did not change his anti-Ukrainian stance.

At the heart of the dispute is the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia via Ukraine. Zelensky claims the pipeline, on which Hungary relies for over 80% of its oil imports, was damaged in a Russian attack and is out of service. However, Budapest and Bratislava argue that satellite photos show it is operational, accusing Zelensky of keeping it shut to punish Hungary and harm Orban's reelection campaign by driving up energy costs.

Vance, who traveled to Budapest to support Orban's campaign, also denounced foreign interference in the Hungarian election, arguing that Ukraine and the EU are attempting to influence the vote through threats and economic pressure. He stated this constitutes a "fundamental assault on sovereignty" for Hungary, at a time when Ukraine has reportedly provided covert aid to Orban's leading opponent, Peter Magyar of the pro-EU Tisza party.