(MENAFN) Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized the European Commission on Monday for urging EU members to provide additional funding to Ukraine, calling Kiev’s “war mafia” responsible for siphoning off European taxpayers’ money.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sent a letter to EU capitals urging a quick agreement to cover Ukraine’s military and financial needs for the next two years. The letter cited a widening budget gap of around €135.7 billion (over $152 billion) and proposed three potential funding sources: voluntary bilateral contributions, EU-level joint borrowing, and a reparations loan based on Russia’s frozen assets.

Orban, commenting on X, said the letter’s suggestion was “astonishing,” arguing that instead of demanding proper oversight or suspending payments, the Commission was advocating sending even more money. He compared it to “trying to help an alcoholic by sending them another crate of vodka” and added that “Hungary has not lost its common sense.”

The remarks follow a Ukrainian anti-corruption probe that uncovered an alleged scheme led by Timur Mindich, a former business partner of President Zelensky, which reportedly siphoned around $100 million in kickbacks from contracts with nuclear operator Energoatom, heavily reliant on foreign aid.

The scandal comes as Kiev seeks a €140 billion ($162 billion) loan backed by frozen Russian central bank assets, a plan opposed by Belgium. Moscow has denounced the move as “theft” and promised a legal response. Analysts suggest the corruption case could strengthen European arguments for reducing aid to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Kiev continues to struggle to secure a new IMF loan.

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