A wave of arrests, diplomatic expulsions, and public shaming has pushed already strained relations between war-torn Ukraine and its uneasy neighbor, Hungary, a NATO member, to a new low, according to a report by the BBC.
At the heart of the dispute are allegations that Viktor Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party is exploiting the scandal to target its main political rival, the opposition party Tisza, which currently leads in the polls ahead of Hungary’s 2026 elections.
Earlier this month, Ukraine’s SBU (Security Service) announced the arrest of two Ukrainian nationals accused of spying in Hungary. According to Ukrainian authorities, supported by video and audio evidence, the man and woman were allegedly paid by Hungarian intelligence and were preparing for Hungarian military actions on Ukrainian soil.
In retaliation, Hungary expelled Ukrainian diplomats, prompting Ukraine to respond in kind, escalating an already tense relationship. Hungary also arrested another Ukrainian citizen, accusing him of espionage.
Orbán, widely viewed as Russia’s closest ally in the EU, has angered European partners by maintaining trade with Moscow, opposing sanctions, refusing to allow arms shipments to Ukraine, and even comparing Ukraine to Afghanistan. Orbán now claims that Kyiv is attempting to defame Hungary.
Recently, all eight million Hungarian households received a government questionnaire titled “Vox 2025”, asking citizens to reject Ukraine’s potential EU membership.
A year ago, Orbán positioned himself as the sole global advocate—aside from the Pope—for an unconditional ceasefire. Critics, however, argue his so-called peace mission to Kyiv, Moscow, and other capitals was merely an attempt to reward Russian aggression.
Notably, the day after Orbán met Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian missiles struck the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv. Just three days later, Tisza Party leader Péter Magyar donated $40,000 worth of Hungarian medicines to the same hospital. Polls now suggest that Magyar could potentially unseat Orbán in the April 2026 elections.
