Zelenskiy taunts Hungary's Orban for blocking aid to Ukraine

KYIV, March 5 - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy taunted Hungarian leader Viktor Orban on Thursday for blocking a 90 billion euro ($104 billion) aid package from the European Union critical to Kyiv's survival as it fends off Russia. Read more at straitstimes.com.

KYIV, March 5 - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy taunted Hungarian leader Viktor Orban on Thursday for blocking a 90 billion euro ($104 billion) aid package from the European Union critical to Kyiv's survival as it fends off Russia.

Ukraine relies on financial aid from partners to cover its budgetary needs while it funnels most state funds toward defence. EU member Hungary, which has maintained cordial ties with Moscow, vetoed the package this month amid a dispute over oil supplies.

"We hope a certain person in the EU will not keep blocking the 90 billion... and Ukrainian soldiers will have weapons," Zelenskiy told reporters in Kyiv.

"Otherwise, we will give the address of this person to our armed forces, our guys. Let them call him, speak with him in their own language."

The remark will likely heighten the tension between the two leaders during Russia's four-year war on Ukraine, which Orban - who faces elections on April 12 - has been careful not to condemn.

Hungary's veto of the aid package, as well as new EU sanctions on Russia, came in response to what it says was Ukraine deliberately cutting supplies from the Druzhba pipeline carrying Russian crude to Europe.