Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has accused Ukraine of attempting to interfere in Hungary’s upcoming national elections and ordered Kyiv’s ambassador to be summoned to the foreign ministry.
In a video statement, Orbán claimed Hungary’s national security services had assessed recent remarks from Ukrainian leaders as part of what he described as a coordinated effort to influence Hungary’s domestic politics. He did not provide specific evidence to support the allegation.
The accusation comes as Hungary heads toward closely watched elections scheduled for April, where Orbán faces one of the strongest political challenges of his time in office. His government has intensified criticism of Ukraine in recent months, portraying the war-torn country as a potential threat to Hungary’s security and sovereignty.
Orbán has also accused opposition leader Péter Magyar of aligning with Kyiv to unseat his government and shift Hungary toward a more pro-Western direction — a claim the opposition rejects.
Hungary has repeatedly opposed expanded European Union financial and military assistance to Ukraine and has resisted moves toward Kyiv’s future EU membership. As part of its campaign messaging, the government has promoted a national petition urging voters to reject further EU support for Ukraine.
Tensions between Budapest and Kyiv have also been fuelled by sharp exchanges between leaders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently criticised Orbán’s stance, accusing him of undermining European unity while benefiting from EU support.
The latest diplomatic move signals deepening political friction between the two countries at a sensitive moment for both regional security and Hungary’s domestic political landscape.
