Orbán criticizes Latvia over its stance on Ukraine
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán sharply criticized Latvia’s position on support for Ukraine. He reproached the Latvian prime minister for backing Kyiv instead of Budapest, writing about it on X. The dispute arose over large-scale EU financial aid to Ukraine.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán entered into a public dispute with Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa. The disagreement centers on a proposed €90 billion loan for Ukraine.
The dispute began with a post by Siliņa, in which she reminded Hungary of the commitments made at the European Council summit in December 2025. According to her, if a country supported the decision at the time, it should now comply with it.
Orbán disagreed, stating that the situation has changed and that Hungary is acting in line with its own interests. “You are mistaken. Hungary is acting in accordance with the agreement with the EU concluded in December 2025,” he wrote.
According to the Hungarian prime minister, Budapest agreed to the loan for Ukraine only because Kyiv was fulfilling its obligations to the European Union at the time. In particular, this concerned the supply of Russian oil to Hungary. Now, Orbán claims, the situation has changed. He accused Ukraine of “altering the agreed terms” and effectively blocking supplies.
“You cannot ask me to support an EU loan for a country that has unlawfully changed the agreed conditions,” he said.
Orbán also advised the Latvian prime minister to address her concerns not to him, but to the president of Ukraine. “Instead of attacking me, knock on President Zelensky’s door,” he wrote.
He also stressed that he finds Latvia’s position as an ally difficult to understand. “For us Hungarians, it is hard to understand why Latvia stands not with Hungary, but with Ukraine,” Orbán added.
He emphasized that he considers Hungary’s position “legally justified, morally right, and politically reasonable.”
The dispute between Budapest and Riga highlights ongoing divisions within the EU over support for Ukraine. Financial aid and energy issues remain among the most sensitive topics in relations between member states.
“Withdraw your agents from Hungary,” Orbán said in a sharp message to Ukraine.
Hungarian elections: how Trump and Putin are helping Orbán avoid defeat.
Orbán compared opposition to Ukraine and Brussels to the overthrow of communism.
Earlier, Orbán refused to call the strikes on Iran the beginning of a war.
Orbán also responded to Zelensky following remarks about “growing a belly.”
