Orbán attacks Ukraine over gas transit suspension and threatens to "fight back"

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has criticised Ukraine's decision to stop transiting Russian gas from the beginning of 2025, warning that Budapest may take retaliatory measures.

As reported by Index, a Hungarian news website, speaking at a press conference during his visit to Bratislava on Tuesday, 21 January, Orbán claimed that Ukraine not only stopped gas transit through its territory but also allegedly refuses to negotiate, while its decision threatens Hungary, Slovakia and the entire region.

"Kyiv is no longer in a secure enough position to afford such behaviour. If they remain aggressive and hostile, they will lose. Eventually, we will get angry and fight back. The way Kyiv is trying to control and shape relations with Central European countries today is unacceptable," Orbán said.

Orbán expressed opposition to Ukraine’s rapid accession to the European Union, claiming it would devastate Hungary’s economy. He also opposed Ukraine’s NATO membership, asserting that it would lead to a direct war between the Alliance and Russia.

Hungary and Slovakia have recently made several anti-Ukrainian statements following the expiration of the gas transit contract between Ukraine and Russia.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has harshly criticised Ukraine as an unreliable partner and said he is tired of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy travelling around Europe "begging" and "blackmailing others".

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has furiously reacted to a bill registered in the Ukrainian parliament that proposes a ban on Russian oil and gas transit during martial law.