Dear Ukrainian neighbors!

Soon the news will reach you too: Viktor Orbán, the Prime Minister of Hungary, has once again used his veto, explaining to his domestic supporters that – I quote – *“the Hungarian people decided in a referendum that we do not want to live together with the Ukrainians, in any kind of integration, neither in the European Union nor in NATO.”*

First of all: this is a lie.

There has never been a referendum in Hungary on Ukraine’s EU membership. What Orbán calls a “referendum” was in fact a farce organized by his government called a “national consultation” – a non-transparent, manipulated propaganda exercise with no legal or political weight. The government sent a questionnaire to every household, with a single question on it:

“Do you support Ukraine becoming a member of the European Union? YES / NO”

2.27 million people sent it back. Ninety-five percent of them answered NO – exactly the same proportion as the governing party’s electorate. The majority of Hungarians simply did not take part in this circus, because they know perfectly well there is no point in communicating with a lying, corrupt regime that serves Moscow’s interests.

This was not a referendum, but a Fidesz-voter pen-pal competition. Orbán does not dare put the question to a real referendum, because he knows most Hungarians would support Ukraine’s EU membership. Cowardice and lying come as naturally to this man as breathing – in this, he is a perfect match for Putin.

And why is he doing all this? Because it is part of a Kremlin-directed hybrid campaign aimed at destroying Hungarian–Ukrainian relations. Moscow has loved to stir up ethnic tensions for decades – and now it is getting help from Budapest. Orbán does not care if Hungarians in Transcarpathia suffer. In fact, that is precisely the goal: to foster tension, suspicion, and hatred.

That is why I ask you: do not fall for anti-Hungarian provocations. Hungary currently lives under a “light” Putin-style dictatorship. Most Hungarians want no part of it – but as long as this regime is in power, foreign policy will be driven by Orbán’s personal vendettas and Moscow’s orders.

We trust that in the spring of 2026 we will drive him out. Until then, let us stand by each other.

Slava Ukraini – and long live a free, independent Ukraine!

Read more:

Orbán’s Government Serving the Kremlin: Hungarian Propaganda Against Ukraine

Hungary has joined Russia’s hybrid war against Europe