EU Commission says Zelenskyy’s threat against Hungarian premier ‘unacceptable’

ISTANBUL

The EU on Friday condemned comments by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy threatening Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

EU Commission spokesperson Olof Gill described as "unacceptable" Zelenskyy's statement in which he said he would give the prime minister’s address to Ukrainian soldiers, and "they will contact him in their own language" if Hungary blocked €90 billion ($78 billion) in EU aid to Ukraine.

“There should be no threats towards EU member countries,” Gill said at a press briefing in Brussels, adding that the commission is actively engaged in discussions with all parties.

Tensions between Hungary and Ukraine have been rising over energy supplies.

A January attack on the Druzhba pipeline, vital for Hungary and Slovakia, disrupted oil deliveries.

Russia has blamed Ukraine for the stoppage, while Kyiv has accused Russia of the attack.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto previously warned that Budapest would block EU funding to Ukraine until deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline resumed.

In response, Zelenskyy said: “We hope that someone in the European Union will not block the €90 billion… Otherwise, we will give this person’s address to our armed forces. They will contact him in their own language.”