EU rebukes Zelensky over Orban remarks amid Hungary-Ukraine oil dispute

EU leaders and Hungary’s opposition blasted Zelensky’s comments toward Viktor Orban as “not acceptable” amid tensions over Russian oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline and Hungary’s blocking of sanctions and a 90‑billion‑euro Ukrainian loan. Brussels urged de‑escalation, with EU Council President Costa working to move the loan forward and Commission officials echoing the call for calmer rhetoric. The row was compounded by Hungary detaining seven Ukrainian bank staff over money‑laundering suspicions and expelling them, which Kyiv condemned as state terrorism; Zelensky’s suggested language‑based communication with Orban drew the backlash.