Hungarian government stated that the exposure of a Hungarian intelligence network by Ukrainian security services on the territory of Zakarpattia indicates coordination between Kyiv and the opposition party “Tisza”, reports the Baltimore Chronicle, citing European Pravda.
In the official statement, Hungarian authorities claimed that such cooperation is an unprecedented occurrence in the country’s recent history. They described the situation as deeply concerning, emphasizing that this is the first time a domestic political actor has allegedly worked in tandem with the intelligence services of a neighboring state.
As evidence of coordination, Budapest pointed to the fact that Ukraine’s announcements regarding the discovery of Hungarian spies were actively circulated by the “Tisza” opposition party and quickly escalated into a full-scale international discreditation campaign against the current Hungarian leadership.
Additionally, Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government asserted that Hungary’s refusal to supply weapons to Ukraine had made it a political target, particularly as decisions concerning Ukraine’s potential accession to the EU approach.
On Friday, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) announced that it had uncovered a military intelligence network affiliated with Hungary. According to the SBU, the agents operated in Zakarpattia, assessing local sentiments and the potential reaction to the possible deployment of “Hungarian peacekeepers” in the region.
Initially, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said that Budapest had not received any official notifications from Kyiv about the discovery of the spy network. He also referred to the matter as part of an “anti-Hungarian propaganda campaign.”
However, a few hours later, Hungary announced the expulsion of two Ukrainian diplomats, accusing them of espionage.
Earlier we wrote that Hungary will not support Zelenskyy’s EU accession plans.