Ukrainian foreign minister Andrij Sybiha mocked Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s remarks, labeling frozen Russian assets the most valuable and denouncing Orban’s attack on EU policy.
Orban’s Critique of EU Policy and Ukraine Aid
Prime Minister Viktor Orban called the EU’s attempt to bypass Hungary a declaration of war, arguing that the EU is “wading through illegal European law.” He condemned Austrian chancellor Friedrich Merz, European People’s Party leader Manfred Weber, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for leading the Union “into a blind alley or straight to the wall.”
Orban demanded €135 billion from the EU, sarcastically noting that “it’s a wonderful offer, but we would gladly leave that opportunity to others.” He warned that seizing Russia’s frozen assets would provoke a “200‑300 billion‑euro acquisition with no response.”
Ukrainian Response
Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha reposted Orban’s video on X, calling the frozen Russian assets “the most valuable” and denouncing Orban’s remarks as reckless.
EU’s Record‑Breaking Asset Freeze
This week the EU unanimously froze €210 billion of the Russian Central Bank’s assets for an unspecified period, bypassing possible vetoes from Hungary or Slovakia. The decision was part of the sanctions regime and was approved by a majority of EU ambassadors.
In the same context, the EU approved a €135 billion financial package for Ukraine, tied to the Commission’s November appeal to agree on a multi‑year support plan.
Orban–Putin Meeting
At the end of November, Orban met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss oil and gas supplies to Hungary. The meeting highlighted Hungary’s interest in continuing bilateral energy cooperation with Russia.
