Zelensky and Orban exchange threats as Ukraine says its bank employees detained in Hungary
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha accused Hungary of detaining seven employees of Ukraine’s state savings bank while they were transporting cash from Austria.
“In fact, we are talking about Hungary taking hostages and stealing money,” Sybiha wrote on Friday on X after Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban said Budapest would force Ukraine with “political and financial tools” to reopen the Druzhba pipeline carrying Russian oil to Hungarian refineries.
Sybiha said the employees were travelling in two cars through Hungary when they were detained. He said their whereabouts were unknown at the moment.
“If this is the ‘force’ announced earlier today by Mr Orban, then this is a force of a criminal gang. This is state terrorism and racketeering,” he said.
Tension has long been high between the two leaders during Russia’s four-year war on Ukraine, with Orban maintaining a staunchly anti-interventionist stance.
EU member Hungary has maintained cordial ties with Moscow.
“We hope a certain person in the EU will not keep blocking the 90 billion… and Ukrainian soldiers will have weapons,” Zelensky told reporters in Kyiv.
“Otherwise, we will give the address of this person to our armed forces, our guys. Let them call him, speak with him in their own language,” Zelensky said.
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky (R) poses with Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orban during latter’s visit in Kyiv (Ukrainian presidential press service)
Arpan Rai6 March 2026 03:45
Trump pushes Zelensky to reach a deal with Putin: ‘Even less cards’
Donald Trump has once again pushed Volodymyr Zelensky to strike a deal with Russia and claimed that Vladimir Putin was ready to reach an agreement.
“Zelensky, he has to get on the ball, and he has to get a deal done,” Trump said in an interview with Politico.
The US president went back to his rhetoric from the tense White House showdown between him, Zelensky and vice-president JD Vance who publicly shot back at Zelensky to claim he was in a weak position.
“Now he’s got even less cards,” Trump said.
Trump has consistnely maintained his view that US support for Ukraine is wasteful to the US, berating his predecessor Joe Biden for assisting Ukraine with military aid against the Russian invasion.
At the same time, Trump has been reiterating the Kremlin’s stance that it is ready for peace, so long as Ukraine gives up its territory and security guarantees, along with Nato membership plans.
(AP)
Arpan Rai6 March 2026 03:26
US and mideast countries seek Kyiv’s drone expertise
The USand its allies in the Middle East are seeking Ukraine’s expertise in countering Iran’s Shahed drones, according to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
Various countries, including the US, have approached Ukraine for help in defending against the Iranian drones, Zelensky said late on Wednesday.
He said he has spoken in recent days with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait about possible cooperation.
Russia has fired tens of thousands of Shaheds at Ukraine since it invaded its neighbor just over four years ago, launching a swarm of more than 800 drones and decoys in its biggest nighttime barrage. Iran has responded to joint US-Israeli strikes by launching the same type of drones at countries in the Middle East.
Ukrainian assistance in countering Iranian drones will be provided only if it does not weaken Ukraine’s own defenses, and if it adds leverage to Kyiv’s diplomatic efforts to stop the Russian invasion, according to the Ukrainian leader.
“We help to defend from war those who help us, Ukraine, bring a just end to the war” with Russia, Zelensky said.
Later Thursday, Zelensky said he had received a US request for support to defend against the drones in the Middle East and had given the order for equipment to be provided along with Ukrainian experts without providing further details.
“Ukraine helps partners who help our security and the protection of our people’s lives,” he added in a social media post.
Trump, in an interview on Thursday with Reuters, said, “Certainly I’ll take, you know, any assistance from any country.”
(AP)
Arpan Rai6 March 2026 03:04
Watch: Zelensky says US ‘asking for help’ in Middle East war Zelensky says US ‘asking for help’ in Middle East war
Bryony Gooch6 March 2026 03:00
Zelensky: Trump using US missiles on Iran risks leaving Ukraine short
Bryony Gooch6 March 2026 02:00
In pictures: Firefighter extinguishes fire following Russian attack on the coast of Bilgorod-Dnistrovskyi district in Odesa
(Emergency Service of Ukraine)
(Emergency Service of Ukraine)
Bryony Gooch6 March 2026 01:00
Watch: Ukraine peace talks on hold due to US-Iran conflict, says ZelenskyUkraine peace talks on hold due to US-Iran conflict, says Zelensky
Bryony Gooch6 March 2026 00:00
Ukrainian families welcome home loved ones, says Zelensky
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that 200 Ukrainian families would welcome back loved ones.
“This is always good news for all of us, for the entire country: the return of our people to their homeland.
“Among those returning are defenders of Mariupol, and of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions. Warriors of the Armed Forces, the State Special Transport Service, border guards, and National Guard personnel. Every time our people come home, it proves that Ukraine is working to bring everyone back.
“No one is forgotten. We involve mediators. I am grateful to everyone who helps Ukraine. I thank the United States for its support in making this exchange possible.
“I am grateful to all our warriors who are replenishing Ukraine’s exchange fund on the front lines. The return of our people home is the result of the strength of Ukrainian defenders.”
Bryony Gooch5 March 2026 23:01
How Russia could profit from rising energy prices fuelled by Iran war
Bryony Gooch5 March 2026 22:00
In pictures: Relatives whose loved ones joined the Russian army to fight in Ukraine protest, calling for their repatriation
Kenya Russia Recruits (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Kenya Russia Recruits (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Bryony Gooch5 March 2026 21:01