As of now, Orban is losing the elections to Peter Magyar with a loud crash. The gap between the candidates is over 10%. Peter Magyar is primarily a Hungarian politician, but he is much more favorable to Ukraine than Orban. Therefore, we are interested in everything going its way, and Hungarians throwing Orban into the dustbin of history.
All Ukraine needs to do now is sit tight until the elections and let Orban lose and retire politically.
The only chance Orban has to cling to power and defeat Magyar is confrontation with Ukraine and mobilization of his electorate as a defender of Hungarians from Ukrainians.
Any sharp statements by Ukrainian politicians regarding relations with Hungary play in Orban’s favor. Orban understands this and PURPOSELY takes unfriendly steps towards Ukraine before the elections.
The correct strategy for Ukraine’s behavior before the elections in Hungary is maximum informational silence and non-public, but effective work in European structures to protect Ukrainian interests.
Scandals and public rows with Orban give Ukraine NOTHING, but give Orban ELECTORATE MOBILIZATION before the elections. Why we are playing a game that isn’t ours and foolishly aiding the old Putin accomplice Orban, who should lose the election and go into political oblivion, I do not understand.
I look at the discussion that has unfolded around yesterday’s phrase by the president, and I am sincerely surprised that many people do not understand the elementary things.
The words refer to Volodymyr Zelensky’s statement that if one person blocks 90 billion euros of aid to Ukraine, the addresses of this person will be given to the Armed Forces.
And there are several very obvious points here.
Firstly, elections are scheduled to take place in Hungary in April. And nothing raises Viktor Orban’s rating within the country as much as harsh or offensive statements from the Ukrainian authorities. It’s elementary politics. We see it ourselves when someone from outside sharply criticizes our president, his rating in Ukraine often only increases. It works exactly the same way there.
Therefore, making such a statement right now, before the elections, is essentially a direct political favor to Orban. And, without a doubt, he is taking advantage of it right now.
Second. This phrase essentially involves the Armed Forces of Ukraine in international political conflicts. And this is a very dangerous logic. Because, to speak directly, when a head of state hints at the possibility of military actions against the leader of another country due to a political conflict, it undermines the very logic of international relations.
And it raises a very uncomfortable question.
If something similar is allowed to us, how is it fundamentally different from the logic Russia uses when explaining its aggression?
Third. In global and European diplomacy, such rhetoric is absolutely unacceptable. As far as we know, many European politicians reacted to this statement with outright surprise and even shock.
Why?
Because Europe is helping Ukraine not just in the war. It is helping Ukraine become part of the democratic world. And when such statements are made, partners naturally question what kind of political system they are helping to build.
Europeans already have a bitter experience; for decades they did not respond to Russia’s transformation and ended up with an aggressive regime that now threatens the entire continent.
And therefore, it is absolutely logical that today they do not want to find themselves in a situation where, years later, they would have to explain why they helped form another authoritarian leader.
This is why I am genuinely surprised when part of the Ukrainian society enthusiastically supports such statements and says: “That’s exactly what should have been said.”
This is a very short-sighted position.
Because in international politics, words have consequences. And a very big question is how exactly such rhetoric might affect further support for Ukraine from our partners.
It seems the international competition in inadequacy between Orbán and Zelensky has been declared open.
One directly hints at the introduction of troops into an EU and NATO member country right before key elections. How should reasonable Hungarians, who do not support Orbán but remember the Soviet invasion of 1956, react to this? Even the leader of the Hungarian opposition pointed out the inadmissibility of such attacks from Zelensky. And if power changes in Hungary next month, this case will not help improve relations, severely damaged by Orbán’s government.
The second inadequate one holds hostage Ukrainian bank couriers who were transporting currency and gold from Austria to Ukraine with all the necessary documents and permits — from Raiffeisen to Oschadbank. Official representatives of an EU country have not engaged in highway robbery before. It’s a first! Brussels must respond to this banditry, as this behavior from one of its members harms the European Union.
I don’t know where they will end up in this confrontation. Orban is using the tension for his own purposes ahead of the elections, which he is currently losing. In response to provocations, wisdom should be shown, not reflexive reactions at a primitive level of mockery. Verbal aggression from Ukraine only helps Orban, not the other way around.
I certainly don’t want “Friendship” to win in this quarrel between Zelensky and Orban. Both profit from the oil pipeline and Russian oil. But now we need to show calm strength, not a new hysteria like a chihuahua. So that after Orban loses power, we can build normal relations with the new Hungarian government, without unpleasant aftertastes.
The National Bank of Ukraine informs that Hungary has detained a Ukrainian cash-in-transit shipment, the vehicles and people are in an unknown location. These are unacceptable actions that require a strong reaction from the Ukrainian authorities. Not by insulting Orban, which only mobilizes his electorate, but by immediately summoning the Hungarian ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, informing Brussels about the actions of an EU member, and demanding an urgent response. Because this is truly international racketeering and banditry, and here I fully support the harshest rhetoric of the Ukrainian authorities.
In a month, there are parliamentary elections in Hungary. Obviously, Orban is ruthlessly exploiting anti-Ukrainian and anti-European messages, mobilizing populists and radicals. This time will be challenging. Ukraine must respond to any unfriendly accusations and protect our national interests, but should not stoop to Orban’s level and help him get re-elected, cementing his electorate.
It’s terrible that relations between neighboring countries are descending to the level of gangster showdowns. Prime ministers and presidents will change. The peoples and countries will remain, and it’s worth remembering that… Wisdom to all of us.
* * *
Andrii Sybiha reported that the release of seven Ukrainian citizens detained in Budapest has been secured. They are now safe and have crossed the Ukrainian border.
I have already briefed President @ZelenskyyUa that we were able to secure the release of seven Ukrainian nationals who were held in Budapest.
They are already safe and they have crossed the Ukrainian border. Our consuls have provided necessary assistance.
I thank our team at… pic.twitter.com/74zA9Yin8v
— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) March 6, 2026
Regarding the situation with the provocative actions of Viktor Orban’s regime against the Ukrainian State, its official structures, and Ukrainian citizens, I will deliberately avoid comments.
There are cases when publicity helps, and sometimes it does the opposite. Especially when we might hear unexpected facts for the general public, including some “complex issues” within Ukraine itself. Much of what is said publicly only complicates the situation. Sometimes it’s worth acting proactively, and sometimes taking a pause.
However, with some facts, for example, what Hungarian units with heavy equipment were doing on Ukraine’s western border on the eve of Russia’s large-scale invasion, the public in both Ukraine and Hungary should have long been acquainted.
Just draw your attention to the general situation.
Firstly, public fuelling of the conflict is needed by the Hungarian leadership.
Secondly, now it should be obvious to everyone that the basis of the conflict situations at the official level between Hungary and Ukraine is not the rights of Hungarians in Ukraine, not artificial disputes of the Hungarian regime with official Brussels and blocking support for Ukraine, not the participation of patriotic citizens of Ukraine – Hungarians by nationality – in the defense of Ukraine and all of Europe, including Hungary, from the Russian invasion, but more obvious reasons.
Thirdly, geopolitics is geopolitics, but lately, internal interests (mainly the preservation of power and management, so to speak, of “financial and resource flows”) in many involved countries have started to play a key role.
Fourthly, the unlocking of credit to Ukraine for the security of Europe as a whole is a matter not only for Ukraine but also for the entire EU. And because it is a contribution to European security, and because it is the reputation of the Union itself and its institutional capacity to fulfill the Maastricht Treaty in general and CFSP (Common Foreign and Security Policy) in particular.
Fifthly, “Russian ears” are already sticking out there, and over time they will become more apparent.
Therefore, it is probably necessary to move the resolution of the emerging conflict to an official level. Media comments are now unavoidable, but using tools of publicity, especially IMPROMPTS, should be done carefully.
It is necessary to develop a specific inter-agency anti-crisis action plan with specifically detailed roles by direction and time with specific professional executors, considering that the elections in Hungary will not end all this.
Always keep in mind that Hungary, despite the presence of an anti-Ukrainian regime in power today, is not Russia, and relations between the peoples are much deeper and long-term, and regimes change. After all, Hungary is our western neighbor with many mutual long-term interests and mutually beneficial cooperation and a future ally in the EU.
Maximally maintain and deepen trust with partners in Europe, the USA, and other interested actors. Keep them informed about Ukraine’s position and coordinate actions.
And, of course, there are now no reasons to pump Russian oil into Hungary. “Friendship” is one thing, but the basic security interests of Ukraine and the EU as a whole remain unchanged.
I see many are upset about Hungary. They say they are jerks, and we should punish them for blocking the EU’s tranche and other mischief. Like the president said everything correctly, stamped his shoe on the podium, “Kuzkina’s mother” is coming, ready to threaten the Swedes Hungarians.
You resemble children who fail to grasp cause-and-effect relationships. And at the same time, you don’t understand the scheme that children from proletarian neighborhoods absorb with their mother’s milk: one must be accountable for their words.
If the president of a country resorts to threats of military action against a sovereign state in diplomacy, what should logically follow?
Will Orban become frightened and more loyal?
On the eve of elections, where the frightened are usually not favored.
Well, I naively believe that words from high tribunes are spoken with certain expected developments in mind. What kind of development was expected in this case?
No, not applause from armchair politicians, who revel in unkemptness and brutal military threats, which, by the way, are a little busy, just a tad.
What was the diplomatic calculation?
Do we really need to worsen already tense relations with Hungary, without any leverage over them other than talking?
What’s the hidden meaning of this strange diplomacy?
Volodymyr Oleksandrovych, are you really on our side, and not with the bear? I have nagging doubts.
In my view, if you are a Ukrainian diplomat, Ukraine’s interests should be above the acute need to show off in front of your electorate and make threats without any even theoretical possibility of realizing them.
Maybe the error is in the key phrase “Ukrainian diplomat”?
Or maybe it’s necessary to roll up your ambitions, push them deeper and postpone revenge until a time when it can be realized?
