My recent trip to Budapest inspires this post.
I'm from Ukraine, and to be honest, I didn't know much about Hungary prior to the war outburst. After the war started, I was heavily biased against Hungary, primarily because of the news and Orban’s actions/statements. Still, being a nonconformist, I decided to give Hungary a chance, and Boi am I happy I did that.
Budapest and several rural cities have turned out to be a remarkable city with amazing, friendly people inhabiting it. I never experienced a side eye, and moreover, when I struggled with something, and people noticed my car plates, they looked surprised but strived to help me, shake my hand, etc.
I delved a little into the history of Hungary and it turned out your country was also oppressed by the soviets.
This made me curious if the real Hungarian people share the point of view the leader of the country usually expresses or not.
by idzrtl
20 comments
I am happy, you have enjoyed your stay here.
Orbán is not equal to the people living here. In the elections, due to their gerry mandered, unbalanced system one-third of the total elligible population is enough for them to win by two-thirds, but even among their voters, many are against their Ukraine policy. On the other hand, unfortunately, what is seen outside is what their pro-Russian propaganda shows.
One important thing and you probably learned it by this trip, Hungary is not Orban. Many of us are welcoming towards you guys, I’m happy you enjoyed your visit and come back soon 🙂
The average Hungarian has no issue whatsoever with Ukrainian people. We are very sympathetic to your struggle. When a lot pf refugees came, people, civilians organised themselves to give them food, medicine, shelter, jobs, anything.
It is very sad that our government is full of fkin twats that give us a bad reputation.
And I’m very glad you enjoyed your time here. Come again.
I am glad to hear it.
The country was oppressed by the Soviet Union for half a century and everyone was happy when the Russians finally left in 1989-1990. Every family has sad stories of violence, injustice and atrocities that happened thanks to the Russians.
I can’t understand why our government now wants to make friends with them and bring them back again.
Most of the people I know personally, don’t understand it either.
I feel really sorry for what is happening in Ukraine.
With Ukraine I feel like its the politicans who hate each other not the people. Regular people either dont give a shit or sorry for Ukraine because of the war.
Personally, I have nothing against anybody as an individual, unless they give me a reason. However, I hold grudges against certain nations and states as collectives. Ukraine is among them. My personal opinion with the war is that I do not pity the Ukranian state or feel obligated to help it in any way. Humanitarian help for refugees is different, of course. I am also against Ukraine’s EU and NATO accession and think that Hungary should not pursue a pro-Ukranian foreign policy.
On a collective Hungarian level, many Hungarians despise Ukraine. Orbán could not have his current stance on the war without domestic repercussions if it was some other country attacked. Not everybody has this opinion, of course, especially on reddit. Most of the people here are liberals from large cities.
Sorry about our prime minister, he is the shame of our nation.
So basically you’re a racist.
We hate that shitbag from the bottom of our heart.
Youve got pretty dark skin for a ukranian.
Unfortunately, more than 50% of voters voted for Orbán, an other 20% for a politician with roughly the same stance about the war 🙁
Luckily, these voters don’t live in Budapest, enjoy your stay 😊
I wouldn’t say Hungarians are against Ukraine or for Russia. We are against the virtue signalling and hypocrisy of the EU and the West.
Like did you know that there is an ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan? Most people don’t because there is barely any mention of it in the media. Azerbaijan is committing genocide against the Armenians and there is no mention of any sanctions against Azerbaijan, quite the opposite: the EU wants to replace part of the Russian oil with azeri oil.
Until someone gives a logical explanation why is it OK to kill Armenians (or other folks not mentioned in the media) but the same time why are we bullied and shamed if we don’t bend over for Ukrainians and Zelensky, I’m going to resist this pro-Ukraine hysteria.
On a personal level I’m very sorry for Ukrainians and wish them the best, but don’t want to participate in the pro-Ukraine mass psychosis.
You are on a heavily left-lib leaning sub that truly hates Orbán.
The opinions on this sub are not representative to the whole country.
I am also happy for you; that you came here and took a look around on your own. Usually the countryside is where most orban fans live – and that is also probably a large part due to the 24/7 fckd’up propaganda that they’re getting from all the national broadcasting services / newspapers. But as you could’ve seen not everyone is a believer of russian propaganda – not even there.
I imagine that most people here are not a fan of that soon to be 72-year-old mass murderer of russia. And I hope that your country will turn out to be in a much better state after all of this insane shit is over.
Why are you not home fighting for your country?
Nice bait
When looking at Orbán consider that Hungary is becoming more and more a winner takes all political system, meaning that 45+% of the people voted against Orbán
As others have already mentioned Hungary and Ukraine have a pretty strained relationship due to history. Fidesz has a voter base of about 2.5 million people and I do think most of them do share their wive towards Russia and Ukraine. And there might be even more because of the issue with minorities (not just Hungarian for that matter).
There’s also the issue with Trion from which Ukraine benefited (even if not much). And during ww2 we were on opposite sides. Frankly speaking many Hungarians hate Ukraine just as much as Russia.
And then there’s the other half of Hungarians who are mostly liberal and support Ukraine.
Personally I have no issues with the Ukrainian people but if you guys want to join the EU and improve your relationship with the surrounding nations (like Poland and Romania who also have a beef with you they are just more concerned about Russia) your government will have to get off the high horse and face the issues. Like the war crimes committed against the Poles in ww2. Also recently even the EU has announced that even if the war is over you guys can’t join until you officially recognise the minorities living there and give them the level of representation the EU law requires.
So yeah. There are plenty of issues but I hope that we can mend our relationship in the future.
Also fuck Fidesz and Orbán what they do is straight up revolting and disgusting and they should all be imprisoned.
“Our” idiot leader doesn’t define the people.