Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has accused Ukraine of attempting to interfere in his country’s upcoming parliamentary elections and has summoned Kyiv’s ambassador.
The move further strains already fraught relations between the two neighbours.
The allegations come amid heightened political rhetoric as Hungary gears up for elections on April 12, where Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party faces a significant challenge from opposition figures.
In a video posted to social media yesterday, Orbán claimed Ukrainian political leaders, “Even the President himself, made highly offensive and threatening statements against Hungary and the Hungarian Government”.
He did not specify the exact statements but asserted that Hungary’s national security services had assessed them as part of a “coordinated series of Ukrainian measures to interfere in the Hungarian elections”.
Orbán added: “We cannot allow anyone to jeopardise Hungary’s sovereignty or the integrity of Hungarian elections.”
The PM instructed his foreign minister Péter Szijjártó to summon Ukraine’s ambassador to Budapest for discussions.
This diplomatic step underscores the deepening rift exacerbated by Hungary’s consistent opposition to European Union financial and military aid for Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The accusations appear to stem from remarks made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week. Zelenskyy criticised Orbán, stating that he “lives off European money while trying to sell out European interests”.
He further remarked: “If he feels comfortable in Moscow, it doesn’t mean we should let European capitals become little Moscows.”
Response to Ukrainian threats against Hungary and its government.
We will not allow anyone to endanger Hungary’s sovereignty or the integrity of our elections. Today, I instructed @FM_Szijjarto to summon Ukraine’s ambassador to Hungary for a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign… pic.twitter.com/qTcUjFBjaS
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) January 26, 2026
Orbán, known for his less hostile stance towards Russia and Eurosceptic attitude, has ramped up a campaign aimed at Ukraine in recent months as polls show Fidesz trailing opposition leader Péter Magyar by double digits in some polls.
The PM has claimed Magyar is in a “pact” with Kyiv to overthrow his government and install a pro-western administration.
He has also campaigned on fears that a Fidesz defeat could lead to Hungarians being conscripted to fight in Ukraine.
Hungary has repeatedly blocked EU initiatives supporting Ukraine and aid packages, including a proposed €90 billion financing package.
It further threatened to veto Kyiv’s accession to the bloc, citing the potential impact on Hungary’s agricultural sector and concerns over corruption in Ukraine.
Earlier in January, Orbán’s government launched a “national petition” urging citizens to oppose continued EU funding for Kyiv.
Orbán has stated that Hungary will not permit Ukraine’s EU membership “within the next 100 years”, arguing it would undermine Hungarian interests.
From Kyiv’s perspective, the accusations have been met with sharp rebuttals.
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha rejected the claims, comparing Orbán to a “henchman of Adolf Hitler” and stating that blocking Ukraine’s EU path is a “crime against the Hungarian people and Hungary itself”.
“Someone has to say this harsh truth,” he added.
Ukraine has dismissed the interference allegations outright, viewing them as part of Orbán’s domestic election strategy.
