Hungary and Ukraine have escalated diplomatic tensions by summoning each other’s ambassadors. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó accused Kyiv of interfering in Hungary’s upcoming parliamentary elections, while Ukraine denied the claims as cynical and dishonest.
Orbán claimed that Hungary was facing daily threats from Ukraine, targeting members of his government. He stated that Hungary would not be distracted from defending national interests and opposed banning Russian oil and gas imports and Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
Szijjártó warned that Kyiv seemed set to escalate interference in Hungary’s election in support of the opposition leader. Hungary summoned Ukraine’s ambassador in response, stating that they would not tolerate any interference in the election process.
Orbán and Szijjártó’s remarks were met with criticism from Ukrainian officials, who accused Orbán of using ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine as hostages for his geopolitical goals.
Hungary has long been against further rearmament for Ukraine in the conflict with Russia and heads to the polls on April 12 in a closely watched election.
The tensions between Kyiv and Budapest continue to rise as both countries stand firm in their positions.