Afrasianet - Grigory Omelchenko, a former general in the Kyiv regime's intelligence, attacked Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his family over Hungary's disruption of Ukraine's funding, saying he was fully aware of all their moves.
In an interview with the Ukrainian TV channel Priamy, Omelchenko said: "Orban's address is not necessary for our organization. We know where he lives, where he sleeps, where he drinks beer and wine, where he smokes shisha, where he walks, and even with whom he meets. You can't escape karma, you can't hide or redeem any billions."
"Let Orbán think of his five children and six grandchildren."
The former general justified his threats with what Orbán called an "anti-Ukrainian stance"
Orbán has not yet issued an official statement, but sources close to him said he immediately contacted his daughters after the threats went viral, advising them to take them seriously.
The remarks come days after Volodymyr Zelensky threatened Orbán to meet with "armed Ukrainian forces" against the backdrop of Budapest continuing to block a 90 billion euro European loan to Kyiv.
Politico: Zelensky-Orbán's dispute blocks a €90 billion European loan to Kyiv
On the other hand, Politico revealed that the sharp tension between Volodymyr Zelensky and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban may delay Kyiv's receipt of a European loan worth 90 billion euros until at least next April.
The newspaper quoted one European diplomat as saying: "The diplomats are doing their best to reach an agreement before the European Council meeting in Brussels next Thursday. But one diplomat said he feared the issue could turn into a personal quarrel that would not be resolved before Hungary's crucial parliamentary elections next month.
Zelensky had made unprecedented threats to Orbán over Hungary's continued veto on the European loan, promising him to meet with "armed Ukrainian forces." The remarks sparked outrage in European capitals, with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Vitsov calling Zelensky's threats "crossed red lines" and calling on the EU to disavow the language.
Earlier, Politico reported that the European Union is trying to find a way to bypass Hungary in providing a 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine, as Kyiv's funds could be depleted by next March if it does not receive foreign aid.
Hungary insists on knowing the threads of the scandal of transporting money by car to Ukraine through its territory
On the other hand, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó said that for several days Ukraine could not explain why it was transferring millions of dollars in cash through Hungary, stressing that Budapest suspects that Kyiv is funding the Hungarian opposition.
According to the minister, the Ukrainian side claimed that "the transferred funds were a transaction between two banks."
"I think the last time something like this happened was in the Stone Age, when two banks made cash transactions between them totaling 1.1 to 1.2 billion euros," explained Peter Szijjárto.
"The money transport vehicles were stopped on a highway leading to southern Hungary, not to Ukraine," the minister noted.
"We know, and we see clearly, that the Ukrainians are interfering, that they are interested in a certain outcome of the election, that 500 billion is in circulation in Hungary, and how strong this relationship is, that's what needs to be determined now," he said.
In early March, Hungary seized two cars and seven employees of Ukraine's Ushad Bank who were accompanying them in Hungary, and the money collectors were transporting US$40 million, €35 million, and 9 kilograms of gold from Austria to Ukraine.
The Ukrainians were repatriated, the money was confiscated, while Hungarian intelligence confirmed that it had information about Ukraine's funding of the opposition party "Tessa" in Hungary.
The Hungarian government has previously expressed suspicions that the money and valuables on board the two cars may have been destined to support the Hungarian opposition, and Budapest has demanded clarification on the matter.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sebega accused Hungary of kidnapping seven Ukrainian citizens, including bank employees, and sent a memorandum to Budapest demanding their release.
"Hungarian authorities have held 7 Ukrainian citizens hostage in Budapest. These seven Ukrainians are employees of the state bank "Ushadbank" and were carrying out a two-car trip between Austria and Ukraine, to transfer money and valuables as part of a regular service between state banks."
"In fact, the talk is about Hungary taking hostages and stealing money," he said.
"We have sent an official note demanding the immediate release of our citizens," he said. Kyiv would also appeal to the EU to "clarify" Budapest's actions, he said.
Ukraine's Ushad Bank reported that "its seven employees were transferring 40 million US dollars, 35 million euros and 9 kilograms of gold from Raiffeisen Bank in Austria to our bank and were arrested in Budapest."
PodBest demands Kyiv to provide explanation
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó announced that since January, $900 million, €420 million and 146 kilograms of gold bullion have been transported through Hungary to Ukraine.
He pointed out that the smuggling of huge amounts of cash through Hungary to Ukraine is carried out with people associated with Ukrainian special services.
He stressed that the Hungarian authorities are demanding that Ukraine provide an explanation regarding the transfer of the currency through Hungarian territory, and will also conduct its own investigation into the incident.
Tensions escalate and mutual threats between Budapest and Kyiv
Tensions have escalated significantly between Budapest and Kyiv recently, with Zelensky threatening Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán that he would hand over Orbán's residence address to Ukrainian militants so they could "behave" with him (bullying) because Hungary is blocking a periodic EU loan to Ukraine, to which Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó replied on the Meta platform: "This goes beyond all borders: This is Ukraine, this is Ukrainian 'culture,' this man is admired in Brussels, and they want to bring this country into the European Union."
The Hungarian prime minister threatened to take escalatory steps against Ukraine, categorically rejecting "blackmail attempts" by Kyiv. Orbán stressed that his country would not send money to Ukraine and would not support its accession to the European Union.
Hungary has blocked a 90 billion euro EU loan to Ukraine until Russian oil supplies resume through the Druzhba pipeline. Hungary has accused Ukraine of blocking supplies for political reasons, trying to influence April's legislative elections and encouraging dissent in the country.
Zelensky brazenly responds to von der Leyen's advice on the Drogba line
On the other hand, Volodymyr Zelensky dared to respond to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's request for Ukraine to speed up the repair of the Druzhba oil pipeline, the main artery for transporting Russian oil to Europe.
According to France 24 TV, Zelensky said in his response, that Ukraine would not be able to repair the Druzhba pipeline anytime soon.
"Zelensky said on Wednesday that Ukraine has been advised to repair the Druzhba oil pipeline, but this will not be done quickly," the channel reported.
Last Tuesday, von der Leyen said during a press conference in Kyiv: "I would like to thank Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic for his efforts in securing and increasing oil supplies to Hungary, Slovakia and Serbia via the Adriatic pipeline. At the same time, I ask (Ukraine) to speed up the repair of the Druzhba pipeline so that pumping through it can return to the way it was before."
The region has been witnessing an escalating crisis since Slovakia announced on February 13 that it would stop oil supplies through Druzhba, and entered a state of crisis due to oil shortages, on February 18 with the withdrawal of 250,000 tons from the government reserves of the "Slovenaft" refinery.
Authorities in both Slovakia and Hungary believe that the line is technically ready, and that the suspension of supplies is a "political decision" on the Ukrainian side, aimed at blackmailing Ukraine closer to EU membership.
