Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has accused Ukrainian intelligence services of carrying out an “unprecedented attack” against Hungary. According to him, Kyiv is coordinating a smear campaign against Hungary aimed at sabotaging a government-led public opinion poll on support for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, reports the Baltimore Chronicle, citing European Pravda.
Orbán made this statement on May 13 following a meeting of Hungary’s Defense Council. He claimed that Ukraine had allegedly intensified its activities on Hungarian territory and involved a Hungarian politician in the campaign, who, according to Orbán, is acting in the interests of Ukrainian intelligence. The prime minister further stated that a Hungarian opposition party is participating in this operation, calling it “an event without precedent.”
Despite the accusations, Orbán emphasized that the survey on Hungarians’ attitude toward Ukraine’s EU membership will be completed. He stated that the decision in this matter should be made solely by the Hungarian people, not by leaders in Brussels or Kyiv.
Tensions between the two countries have escalated following a statement by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), which reported uncovering an intelligence network operated by Hungarian military intelligence in the Zakarpattia region. In response, Budapest expelled two Ukrainian diplomats, accusing them of espionage. Ukraine responded in kind by announcing the expulsion of two Hungarian diplomats.
Additionally, it was reported that a Ukrainian citizen who previously served as a diplomat was detained in Budapest and later deported.
Earlier we wrote that Orban’s government responds to spy exposure in Ukraine.