In the open letter, Orbán directly targeted Zelensky, accusing him of working to force Hungary into the war between Ukraine and Russia for four years. He further labeled Zelensky's policy as 'anti-Hungarian,' though the specific actions Zelensky allegedly took to try to force Hungary into the war remain unclear. Orbán also stated that the Hungarian people have no responsibility for the situation Ukraine is in, and emphasized Hungary's stance by saying it does not want to participate in the war, finance the war, or have higher energy prices. Additionally, he criticized Ukraine for not repairing the Druzhba oil pipeline, which transports oil between Russia and Hungary through Ukraine.
Orbán expanded his allegations by claiming that Brussels and the Hungarian opposition are coordinating efforts to bring a pro-Ukrainian government to power in Hungary. This accusation comes amid a shifting political landscape in Hungary, where an election was held on April 12. For the first time in 16 years, Orbán's national conservative party Fidesz faces a real challenger in Péter Magyar, leader of the liberal-conservative and pro-Ukrainian Tisza party.
We, the Hungarian people, have no responsibility for the situation Ukraine is in.
Following the election, Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar declared victory on April 12 after his Tisza party claimed a landslide win over Orbán's Fidesz party. Russian state TV announced the defeat of Kremlin ally Viktor Orbán in Hungary's election, with a presenter on Russian Channel One alleging that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky interfered in the vote. Russian state TV claimed that European hawks and the head of the Kyiv regime went out of their way to get rid of Orbán, a politician with a principled position who defended national interests, no matter the cost, though no evidence has been provided to support this claim of election interference.
Expert analysis suggests that in Hungary, Russian narratives are widely disseminated and absorbed, according to an expert. The same expert noted that the fear of being drawn into such a war is naturally great in Hungary. This context underscores the complex interplay of domestic politics and foreign influence, with the impact of the election results on Orbán's political future and Hungary's foreign policy towards Ukraine still uncertain, as is the extent to which Russian narratives influenced the campaign and voter behavior.
We sympathize with the Ukrainian people, but we do not want to participate in the war. We do not want to finance the war and we do not want to have more expensive energy prices. More respect for Hungary!
In response to Orbán's pipeline criticism, Kyiv has stated that the Russians blew up the Druzhba pipeline, and Zelensky has previously said it will be repaired as soon as possible. However, the current status and timeline for repairs to the Druzhba oil pipeline remain unknown, adding another layer of dispute to the ongoing tensions between Hungary and Ukraine.
In four years you have worked to force Hungary into the war between your country and Russia.
We also see that you, Brussels, and the Hungarian opposition are coordinating efforts to bring a pro-Ukrainian government to power in Hungary.
European hawks, and with them the head of the Kyiv regime, went out of their way to get rid of Orbán, a politician with a principled position who defended national interests, no matter the cost.