Italian deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini has launched a blunt attack on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, telling him to “sign the peace agreement as soon as possible” and accusing him of squandering Western support, during a weekend event organized by Salvini’s right-wing Lega party.

Speaking at the party’s ‘Ideas in Movement’ gathering in Rivisondoli, in the Abruzzo region, Salvini said Zelensky had no grounds to complain after years of Western backing. “We heard Zelensky who, after all the money, after all the effort, after all the help, even has the nerve to complain,” Salvini said. “My friend, you are losing the war, you are losing men, you are losing credibility and dignity. Sign the peace agreement as soon as possible. Sign the peace agreement as soon as possible. You have to choose between a defeat and a rout.”

Abbiamo sentito Zelensky che, dopo tutti i soldi, gli sforzi, gli aiuti che ha avuto, ha pure il coraggio di lamentarsi. Amico mio, stai perdendo la guerra, stai perdendo uomini, credibilità e dignità: firma l'accordo di PACE il prima possibile. Devi scegliere fra una sconfitta e… pic.twitter.com/WfVMti04hl

— Matteo Salvini (@matteosalvinimi) January 25, 2026

Salvini is the latest Italian politician to criticize Zelensky’s recent tone toward European allies, following the Ukrainian leader’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week. In that address, Zelensky warned that Europe risked irrelevance if it failed to act decisively on foreign policy. “If Europe is not seen as a global force, if its actions do not scare bad actors, then Europe will always be catching up with new dangers and attacks,” he said.

Zelensky singled out Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a vocal critic of military support for Ukraine. “Every Viktor who lives on European money while selling out European interests deserves a tassel on his hat,” he said. “And even if he feels comfortable in Moscow, we should not let European capitals become little Moscows.”

The remarks drew pushback from Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, who defended Europe’s role in supporting Kyiv. “It seems to me that he is not generous towards Europe,” Tajani said. “It seems to me that Europe has guaranteed Ukraine’s independence, doing everything to support this country from a political, financial, and military point of view.”

‘I am a free man who serves the Hungarian people’ — Orbán hits back after Zelensky singles out Hungary in Davos speech

Orbán also responded directly, rejecting Zelensky’s criticism and reiterating Hungary’s opposition to continued military aid. “I think we will never understand each other. I am a free man who serves the Hungarians,” Orbán wrote on social media. Addressing Zelensky, he added, “You are a man in a difficult situation who has been unable or unwilling to end a war for four years, despite the fact that the president of the United States is providing all the help he can.”

Orbán said Hungary would not continue to support Ukraine’s war effort militarily, while insisting that humanitarian assistance would remain in place. “Therefore, despite your flattery, we cannot continue to support your war effort,” he wrote.

“Of course, the Ukrainian people, despite your selective insults, can count on us to continue supplying your country with electricity and fuel, as well as helping refugees from Ukraine. Life will take care of the rest, and everyone will get what they deserve.”