Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has vowed to launch a petition inside the country to halt the EU’s so-called “war plans” for Ukraine on Saturday.
The move came amid a renewed diplomatic spat between Kyiv and Budapest, escalated by recent espionage claims from both sides – including an investigation into Hungary’s alleged spying activities within the EU itself.
Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.
Orban, writing in a Facebook update, reiterates his opposition to what he called “Brussels’ war plan.”
“A few weeks ago, Brussels’ war plan was presented in Copenhagen: Europe pays, the Ukrainians fight, and Russia will be exhausted,” Orban wrote, referring to ongoing discussions to arm Ukraine via EU funding.
He then accused others of a vindictive campaign against Budapest.
“In Denmark, I made it clear: We don’t want any of this. Since then, they have launched a campaign against Hungary. The arsenal is wide. Espionage accusations, fake news scandals and legal maneuvering,” he added.
Budapest recently also banned multiple Ukrainian outlets in what it called a reciprocal move before linking it to “peddling activities of the Soros Foundation.”
Orban then announced plans for a petition within Hungary to “show once again that the Hungarian people do not want war.”
“That is why today we are starting a collection of signatures against Brussels’ war plans. We will be there in every city and every village, because now we need every peace-loving Hungarian!” he concluded.
Other Topics of Interest
Europe Must Become a Strategic Actor in Its Own Right
If a security crisis does erupt – given Russia’s hybrid warfare – the EU must be prepared to meet it.
Orban, who has maintained close ties with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and opposed aid for Ukraine, also launched a national poll in the past in an attempt to justify Budapest’s opposition to Ukraine’s EU bid.
At the time, local media outlets said the Orban government has a history of using vague and sometimes misleading questions in its previous polls.
Telex, a Hungarian news outlet, reported at the time that a poll on so-called “sovereignty protection” had voters choosing between supporting the Orban administration on its anti-EU stance or choosing to live in a so-called “migrant ghetto.”
Telex wrote that as a result, voters who disagree are unlikely to vote at all.
Hungary is also set to host its parliamentary elections in April 2026, which might be related to Orban’s latest campaign.