Ukraine will “do whatever it takes” to influence Hungary’s upcoming election, FM Szijjártó says

Ukraine will “do whatever it takes” to influence Hungary’s upcoming election, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said in Kecskemét, in central Hungary, on Tuesday, arguing that the April 12 vote would be a pivotal national issue for both countries.

Speaking at a business forum, Szijjártó said a victory by ruling Fidesz would prevent Hungary from being dragged into the war in Ukraine and it would block European Union funds from being diverted to the country, while keeping Kyiv out of the EU.

He argued that admitting Ukraine into the EU would instantly devastate Hungarian agriculture, strip cohesion funds and risk making Hungary a gateway for the Ukrainian mafia.

He suggested Ukraine’s leadership was desperate to avoid another four years of a Fidesz government, which, he noted, had consistently opposed their interests.

“[Ukrainian President] Volodymyr Zelensky’s threat to send troops to ‘chat’ with Viktor Orbán … the oil blockade pushing petrol prices to 1,000 forints a litre are all attempts to interfere [in the election], Szijjártó said, arguing that “high fuel prices are rarely an advantage for incumbents.”

Szijjártó also demanded answers in connection with the “suspicious movement of hundreds of millions in cash” transiting through Hungary, linked to Ukrainian military and intelligence personnel. He said “the panic and the outrage” from Ukraine’s part were “telling”, adding that “something doesn’t add up.”