For Zelensky, the Hungarian Prime Minister is Almost Like Putin 0 8

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky compared the actions of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to the policies of Russian ruler Vladimir Putin.

As the Ukrainian leader stated in an interview with Politico, there is only one difference between Putin and Orban — the latter has not yet used drones or troops against Ukraine, but he is blocking support.

Zelensky emphasized that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation, Orban has been blocking all sanctions against Moscow, obstructing the transit of weapons through Hungary and military assistance to Ukraine.

Tensions between Hungary and Ukraine reached a breaking point when Hungarian police detained Ukrainian cash transporters and confiscated a large sum of cash and gold. Kyiv stated that this was a "hostage-taking" and "robbery." What started the conflict?

As an old Hollywood rule attributed to Alfred Hitchcock goes, a good thriller begins with an explosion, followed by rising tension. In the ongoing crisis between Hungary and Ukraine, such an explosion was the Druzhba pipeline. It has not been operational since the end of January. According to Kyiv, the pipeline was struck by Russian troops, which is why it now requires extensive repairs. Budapest, which, like Bratislava, received Russian oil through Druzhba, claims that Ukraine's decision to halt transit is purely political.

In an attempt to influence Ukraine, Hungary blocked the allocation of a €90 billion EU loan and the 20th package of anti-Russian sanctions.

Last week, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban vowed to break the oil blockade by force, although he did not explain how. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky threatened to give Orban's phone number to Ukrainian troops. Budapest called this a death threat.