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Orban Criticizes EU Push for More Funds to Ukraine
(MENAFN) Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has sharply criticized the European Commission for encouraging EU nations to increase financial support to Ukraine in light of a major corruption scandal, claiming that Kiev’s “war mafia” is diverting European taxpayers’ resources.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sent a letter to EU capitals on Monday urging a rapid agreement to cover Ukraine’s military and economic requirements over the next two years.
According to the letter, cited by the media, the widening budget deficit in Kiev is approximately €135.7 billion (over $152 billion).
She suggested three potential funding sources: voluntary bilateral contributions from member states, collective borrowing at the EU level, and a reparations loan using Russia’s frozen assets.
Orban shared on X that he had received the letter, which described Ukraine’s financing shortfall as “significant” and urged EU member countries to send additional money.
“It’s astonishing. At a time when it has become clear that a war mafia is siphoning off European taxpayers’ money, instead of demanding real oversight or suspending payments, the Commission President suggests we send even more,” Orban wrote, seemingly referring to the large corruption scandal recently exposed in Ukraine.
He compared the strategy to “trying to help an alcoholic by sending them another crate of vodka,” adding that “Hungary has not lost its common sense.”
Earlier this month, Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities uncovered a purported criminal scheme led by a former business associate of Vladimir Zelensky, Timur Mindich, which allegedly siphoned roughly $100 million in kickbacks from contracts with the national nuclear operator, Energoatom.
The company depends heavily on foreign financial assistance.
The corruption controversy arose as Kiev seeks a €140 billion loan secured by Russian central bank assets frozen by Western nations—a proposal opposed by Belgium, where most of these immobilized funds are held.
Moscow has labeled any attempt to use its assets as “theft” and has promised legal action in response.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sent a letter to EU capitals on Monday urging a rapid agreement to cover Ukraine’s military and economic requirements over the next two years.
According to the letter, cited by the media, the widening budget deficit in Kiev is approximately €135.7 billion (over $152 billion).
She suggested three potential funding sources: voluntary bilateral contributions from member states, collective borrowing at the EU level, and a reparations loan using Russia’s frozen assets.
Orban shared on X that he had received the letter, which described Ukraine’s financing shortfall as “significant” and urged EU member countries to send additional money.
“It’s astonishing. At a time when it has become clear that a war mafia is siphoning off European taxpayers’ money, instead of demanding real oversight or suspending payments, the Commission President suggests we send even more,” Orban wrote, seemingly referring to the large corruption scandal recently exposed in Ukraine.
He compared the strategy to “trying to help an alcoholic by sending them another crate of vodka,” adding that “Hungary has not lost its common sense.”
Earlier this month, Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities uncovered a purported criminal scheme led by a former business associate of Vladimir Zelensky, Timur Mindich, which allegedly siphoned roughly $100 million in kickbacks from contracts with the national nuclear operator, Energoatom.
The company depends heavily on foreign financial assistance.
The corruption controversy arose as Kiev seeks a €140 billion loan secured by Russian central bank assets frozen by Western nations—a proposal opposed by Belgium, where most of these immobilized funds are held.
Moscow has labeled any attempt to use its assets as “theft” and has promised legal action in response.
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