Péter Magyar: No one – neither Ukraine nor Russia – can blackmail sovereign Hungary

Péter Magyar, the leader of the Tisza Party, said on Thursday that neither Volodymyr Zelensky nor Vladimir Putin can blackmail Hungary, a sovereign member of the European Union and NATO.

In a statement sent to the Hungarian news agency MTI, the opposition politician said that Zelensky had “threatened” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán earlier in the day, while Putin had threatened Hungary as a whole by raising the possibility of halting gas supplies.

“No foreign state leader may threaten a single Hungarian citizen,” Magyar wrote.

Calls for apology from Ukraine

Magyar said that, speaking “on behalf of Hungary’s future government”, he strongly rejects what he described as attempts at blackmail and threats from both Zelensky and Putin.

He stressed that neither the outgoing Fidesz government nor a future Tisza government – nor any Hungarian citizen – should be subjected to threats.

According to the opposition leader, Hungary is a free country whose citizens and government will not bow to intimidation from other states. He added that Hungary’s energy supply is a national issue that must stand above party politics and election campaigns.

Magyar also called on the leadership of the European Union to suspend all relations with Ukraine until President Zelensky clarifies his remarks and apologises to Hungary.

Criticism of Orbán’s leadership

The Tisza Party leader said his party would represent “calm strength” in foreign policy matters if it came to power.

He argued that Prime Minister Orbán should be replaced because, in his view, the government is unable to resolve key issues while continuously provoking conflicts for domestic political purposes.

“Calm will only return at home if we change the system,” Magyar said.

Reference to the 1956 revolution

Magyar also made a pointed remark, saying President Zelensky could “freely provide my home address to the Ukrainian armed forces”, adding that neither Putin nor Zelensky could blackmail or threaten him.

He concluded by invoking the legacy of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, noting that Hungary will mark the 70th anniversary of the uprising this year.

“To be worthy heirs of the freedom fighters of 1956, and to celebrate the anniversary in a truly sovereign, free and independent Hungary, we must change the system on 12 April,” Magyar said, adding that under a future Tisza government, Hungary would have “order, peace and security.”

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