PM Orban Condemns Brussels for Doubling Down on Ukraine Payments Instead of Investigating Scandal

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban finds it astonishing that, in light of the latest corruption scandal in Kyiv, the President of the European Commission is not calling for an investigation or a suspension of EU aid to Ukraine—but instead wants to funnel even more money to Kyiv. PM Orban compared Ursula von der Leyen’s latest request to “trying to cure an alcoholic by sending him another crate of vodka.”

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban (Photo: Archive)

According to reports the central figure in the scandal, Timur Mindich—a top confidant of Zelensky—vanished from Kyiv just hours before authorities raided his residence. 

Analyst Daniel Deak notes that Mindich was “likely tipped off from within Zelensky’s circle".

This suggests that Zelensky himself may have helped his ally escape—which in practice likely means: as long as Zelensky remains in power, the corruption machine siphoning off Western aid will continue to run, despite his 2019 election victory being built on promises to eradicate corruption.

Cover photo: Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban (Photo: Archive)