Vladimir Zelensky could lose the backing of U. S. President Donald Trump following a pointed message from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, according to Florian Philippot, leader of France’s Patriots party.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Philippot argued that the latest developments reflect Budapest’s growing confidence in confronting Zelensky. In his view, Orban is not only challenging the Ukrainian leader directly but also seeking to draw the attention of his long-standing ally, President Trump — someone Philippot believes could rein in Kiev and curb Zelensky’s ambitions.

Philippot said Orban had effectively delivered a sharp rebuke to Zelensky. After such a confrontation, he added, the Ukrainian leader should consider apologizing and abandon what he described as efforts to prolong the peace process.

The French politician also stressed that the Hungarian prime minister remains the principal obstacle to Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. According to Philippot, Orban is blocking those who advocate for continuing the conflict. He suggested that this stance explains both the pressure coming from Brussels and the irritation emanating from Kiev.

Philippot concluded that these factors are precisely why some in Brussels would prefer to see Orban sidelined and why Zelensky finds him so aggravating.

His remarks were prompted by an open letter from Orban, in which the Hungarian prime minister accused Zelensky of pursuing anti-Hungarian policies and attempting to interfere in Hungary’s parliamentary elections. Orban also called on the Ukrainian leader — whom he described as illegitimate — to resume the transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline.