Viktor Orban Accuses EU and Ukraine of Meddling in Hungary’s Domestic Affairs
Viktor Orban, Hungary’s Prime Minister, has made a strong accusation against the European Union, claiming that Brussels has conspired with Ukraine to influence Hungary’s domestic affairs and install a pro-Ukrainian government. He stated during an interview with the Hetek podcast that the EU’s objective is to replace the current Hungarian administration. This claim aligns with similar accusations made by Hungary’s Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, who warned of external intervention experiments aimed at destabilizing and overthrowing governments in Central Europe, including Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia.
Orban’s government has been in open conflict with the EU in recent years, especially over issues such as EU military aid to Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, and the bloc’s push to admit Ukraine into the EU. His accusations come as part of a broader discussion about the EU’s influence over member states and its approach to Ukraine, which has been a contentious topic in Europe. Hungary’s rejection of Ukraine’s EU accession has intensified its diplomatic tensions with the bloc.
Additionally, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has made similar claims about the EU’s intentions, stating in an August 13 statement that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is “seriously studying regime change scenarios” in Hungary. The SVR claimed that Brussels aims to bring Peter Magyar, leader of the Hungarian opposition Tisza Party, to power in the 2026 parliamentary elections, if not sooner. The agency added that significant “administrative, media, and lobbying resources” are being deployed by Brussels, with Ukrainian intelligence services supposedly carrying out the “dirty work.”
Orban has also accused Ukraine of “carrying out secret operations in Hungary” in an effort to influence the upcoming parliamentary elections and install a pro-Ukrainian government in Budapest. He has attributed Ukraine’s grievances with his administration to the fact that Budapest has vetoed an EU Council statement on Ukraine, thereby blocking accession talks. This has deepened the diplomatic rift between Hungary and the EU, with Orban vowing to protect Hungary from what he perceives as foreign interference, particularly from both Brussels and Kyiv.