Zelensky’s top adviser says Hungary and Slovakia are damaging the European Union

Hungary and Slovakia are damaging the European Union‘s reputation by undermining the bloc’s position on Russia, according to Mikhail Podoliak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.

Podoliak expressed his discontent with the actions of the two Central European nations, as Prime Ministers Viktor Orban of Hungary and Robert Fico of Slovakia have increasingly challenged the unconditional military and financial support for Ukraine, advocating instead for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

Earlier this month, Ukraine criticized Orban for proposing a Christmas ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. Zelensky also expressed his displeasure with Fico, who recently visited Moscow, disregarding Ukraine’s requests to refrain from engaging with President Vladimir Putin.

“They consistently obstruct EU initiatives at various levels. I find it perplexing why they continue this approach,” Podoliak stated during an interview with Ukrainian television on Tuesday. “These two nations are undermining the EU’s credibility, and there has been no response.”

The presidential adviser proposed that Brussels could consider “legal measures to prevent Hungary and Slovakia from obstructing its initiatives.”

In a recent interview with RBK Ukraine, Podoliak asserted that both Budapest and Bratislava have increasingly aligned themselves with pro-Russian sentiments.

“It is peculiar for a nation like Slovakia to declare, ‘Let’s engage with Russia after all,’” he remarked, suggesting that Slovakia should consider exiting the EU if it believes Russia is justified in its actions.

Fico explained that his visit to Moscow was a reaction to Ukraine’s intentions to halt the transit of Russian natural gas to Slovakia. He cautioned that discontinuing these deliveries, primarily transported through Ukrainian territory via the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline, would severely impact the economy.

The Slovak prime minister expressed his astonishment at Ukraine’s backlash regarding his trip, labeling Zelensky’s suggestion to maintain gas transit contingent upon Slovakia delaying payments to Russia until the conflict is resolved as “absurd.”

Fico has cautioned against escalating tensions between NATO and Russia, urging Kiev to adopt a more pragmatic approach and recognize that Russia is unlikely to withdraw from Crimea, Donetsk, and Lugansk. Slovak President Peter Pellegrini has suggested that Ukraine may need to accept “partial territorial losses” to achieve peace.