Orban: Absurd that EU continues pumping billions into Zelensky's 'corrupt war mafia'
Published 21 November 2025 at 11.07

Foreign. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants member states to quickly agree on new, comprehensive support packages to Ukraine for the years 2026-2027. Hungary's Viktor Orban saws the proposals as absurd and demands the end of the funding of what he describes as an impassable war strategy and a corrupt Ukrainian "war mafia."

In a leaked letter sent to EU heads of state and government, von der Leyen points to Ukraine's "significant" financial gap over the next two years.

The Commission talks about urgent financing needs and wants to see ‘fast, flexible and sustainable’ funding, where the first payments can be made ‘at the beginning of the second quarter of 2026’.

In the letter, published by Politico, she also states that “there should be a fair burden-sharing with international partners.” At the same time, the Commission is raising that Ukraine expects a large budget deficit in the next two years, in addition to already promised support, and refers to forecasts from the IMF that it will need significant external resources even if the war were to end in 2026.

Von der Leyen proposes three financing routes: direct contributions from Member States, a preferential loan based on EU borrowing on the credit market and a model where loans are linked to frozen Russian assets. According to the Commission, direct contributions from Member States would require around €45 billion a year over two years, while a credit facility at EU level would require state guarantees. The model of frozen Russian assets is pointed out as legally hazardous, including if other actors perceive it as confiscation.

In the letter, the President of the Commission clearly links European security to Ukraine's military force.

She writes that “the conclusion is that Europe needs a strong enough defence to credibly discourage its opponents and respond to every aggression. An essential and inevitable pillar of this defence is Ukraine’s security and strength.”

Viktor Orban dismisses the entire set-up – especially in light of the extensive corruption scandals now surrounding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his immediate circle. People in Zelenskyy's close surroundings are suspected of embezzling about $100 million and at least one of them, Timur Mindich, is alleged to have fled to Israel. Top ministers, including the country's justice minister, are also reported to be embroiled in the scandal.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy's poll support is said to have fallen below 20 per cent, demanding the government's resignation and growing criticism even in previously strongly benevolent countries. In Poland, MPs are now being made to make proposals to halt continued military and financial support.

At the end of the letter, Von der Leyen urges EU leaders to "quickly reach a clear commitment to how the necessary funding for Ukraine is to be ensured" at the next summit in December.

Orban responds in a post on X in which he calls the joint EU borrowing a 'trolleritis trick' and describes the proposal as 'absurd'. The road via frozen Russian assets he dismisses as a path toward "closed legal disputes, a tidal wave of lawsuits and the collapse of the euro."

That the Member States should only add even more money is mocked by the Hungarian prime minister as an unrealistic air castle: 'As if they had nothing better to do.'

He concludes his speech with a clear message about what line he wants to see within the EU:

“So let’s choose common sense. Let us stop funding a war that cannot be won, side by side with the corrupt Ukrainian war mafia, and focus our strength on making peace.”