Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not hold back during his speech in Davos at the World Economic Forum, delivering harsh criticism of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the European Union, and even US President Donald Trump.
Speaking about how ‘Europe is not seen as a global force’ and claiming that forces trying to destroy Europe even ‘operate inside’ the continent, Zelenskyy said that ‘every “Viktor” who lives off European money while trying to sell out European interests deserves a smack upside the head’, referring to Orbán, whom he constantly accuses of being pro-Russian. ‘And if he feels comfortable in Moscow, it doesn’t mean we should let European capitals become little Moscows,’ Zelenskyy added.
The Hungarian government has consistently advocated for peace in Ukraine since the war broke out in 2022. Orbán has conducted two peace missions, visiting Kyiv, Moscow, Beijing, Washington, and Mar-a-Lago to meet leaders involved in the conflict and seek a negotiated end to it. Meanwhile, Hungary has blocked Kyiv’s accession to the European Union, citing the negative consequences it would have for the integration process.
In a response posted on X on Thursday night, Orbán said Zelenskyy is ‘a man in a desperate position’ who has been ‘unable or unwilling to bring a war to an end’, despite Washington’s assistance in doing so.
‘Therefore, no matter how much you flatter me, we cannot support your war efforts,’ Orbán wrote, adding that the Ukrainian people can still count on Hungary to continue supplying the country with ‘electricity and fuel’, and to ‘support refugees arriving from Ukraine.’ ‘Life itself will settle the rest, and everyone will get what they deserve,’ Orbán concluded.
However, Orbán was not the only target of Zelenskyy’s Davos speech. He repeatedly criticized the European Union—which has effectively financed Ukraine’s war effort since the United States reduced its support—for reacting too slowly to crises, arguing that hesitation has allowed adversaries, such as Russia, to bypass sanctions and avoid accountability. According to Zelenskyy, Europe remains a ‘fragmented kaleidoscope’ rather than a true great power: too reliant on American leadership, too fearful of confrontation, and too often more focused on managing moods and elections than building the military, economic, and political strength needed to defend itself and shape the future.
Orbán echoed this in a separate post on Friday, writing that Zelenskyy had ‘crossed a line’ and arguing that it was no surprise that, ‘as elections approach in Hungary’, the Ukrainian president had once again placed the Hungarian government and Orbán ‘in his sights.’ ‘What was surprising, however, was that in his speech he also criticized every other European leader. He says the support sent to Ukraine is insufficient, the weapons are insufficient, and Europe’s determination is insufficient.’
Orbán said the response came swiftly. ‘Last night, @vonderleyen presented a roadmap for Ukraine’s development,’ he wrote, adding that Brussels had accepted every Ukrainian demand. ‘$800 billion for Ukraine, accelerated EU accession by 2027, and further support all the way until 2040,’ Orbán continued, emphasizing that Hungary will not support such a roadmap.
Beyond Orbán and the EU, Zelenskyy also targeted Trump in his Davos speech. Comparing Washington’s stance towards former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, he accused Trump of going soft on Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also said that because of ‘America’s position’ on the International Criminal Court, the issue of bringing Putin to The Hague to stand trial for war crimes is now being avoided—implying that Trump is blocking accountability mechanisms.
At one point, Zelenskyy said he had been advised ‘not to mention Tomahawks’—a US-developed long-range precision cruise missile system Ukraine has sought—in order ‘not to spoil the mood’, referring to Trump’s temperament. He also criticized Trump’s recent push to acquire Greenland.
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