Revealing survey: What Hungarians truly think about the war in Ukraine
A recent study by Závecz Research, conducted in early October, delved into public perceptions of the war in Ukraine. The survey examined Hungary’s perceived threat level, views on the defence capabilities of the Hungarian armed forces, and support for EU and NATO membership. This representative poll, commissioned by security policy expert Péter Tarjányi, gathered responses from 1,000 individuals via telephone.
War in Ukraine: Aggression or defence?
Index reports that the Závecz Research survey reveals shifting public perceptions in Hungary regarding the war in Ukraine. While a consistent 65% of the population continues to view the conflict as Russian aggression, and 62% hold Russia responsible, there has been a notable shift in views on whether Russia acted defensively. Over the past two years, the proportion of Hungarians who believe Russia initiated the war in Ukraine for defensive reasons has increased from 13% to 22%. Meanwhile, those who blame Ukraine for the conflict have risen from 16% to 26%. Among pro-government Fidesz voters, opinions have shifted dramatically, with 53% now blaming Ukraine, reversing the previous majority that attributed responsibility to Russia. The number of undecided voters has also significantly decreased across the board.
Would Hungarians defend their country?
The survey indicates a slight decline in Hungarians’ willingness to defend their country in the event of an attack. Currently, 46% would be prepared to fight or assist the army, down from 50% two years ago. While only 4% believe it highly likely that the war in Ukraine will spread to Hungary, 41% consider it possible but unlikely. Index notes that concerns about the war in Ukraine spreading to Hungary are more prevalent among Fidesz voters, rural populations, and those with lower levels of education.
Humanitarian aid is the most favoured form of support for Ukraine, with 55% of respondents supporting this option, while only 18% back military aid. Among government party voters, 63% support only humanitarian assistance, and none support military aid.
Photo: depositphotos.com
EU and NATO
The poll shows strong support among Hungarians for remaining in both the European Union and NATO, with 68% favouring continued EU membership and 78% supporting NATO membership. However, opinions are divided along party lines. Among Fidesz-KDNP voters, 46% support remaining in the EU, while 37% favour leaving. Support for NATO is stronger, with only 17% of Fidesz voters favouring an exit. Voters of the opposition Tisza and DK parties tend to be more consistently pro-NATO and pro-EU.
The survey also highlights dissatisfaction with Hungary’s often anti-EU stance on the war in Ukraine, reflected in a moderate public disapproval rating of 2.7 on a five-point scale. Concerns over Hungary’s alignment with Russia and China are growing, with two-thirds of respondents fearing negative consequences from diverging from EU and NATO positions. Despite this, a majority (60%) still prioritise maintaining good relations with the EU over Russia and China.
Photo: NATO
Hungarians do not see neighbouring countries as a threat
The Závecz Research survey reveals that only 16% of Hungarians believe there is a neighbouring country to fear militarily, with Ukraine being the most feared (11%), followed by Romania (7%). Confidence in Hungary’s defence capabilities remains low, with only 6% believing that the Hungarian armed forces would definitely be able to defend the country, while 34% are convinced they would not. Trust in the military is higher among government supporters. In terms of a potential West-East military confrontation, 12% of respondents consider it very likely within the next decade, while 55% think it is possible but unlikely.
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9 Comments
The survey reveals two things. First, the insideous effect of continuous Fidesz fed Russian propaganda against Ukraine on public opinion. Secondly, the high support for NATO membership even among Fidesz supporters reveals the base selfishness of the Hungarian population which is “Protect us America please but f*ck Ukraine”. These Hungarian a-holes will say how America is their “adversary” as Orban describes it yet at the same time beg for America’s military protection. What complete a-holes!
These Fidesz supporters who crave American military protection under NATO don’t even give a passing thought to what the people of Sweden and Finland were feeling while the Fidesz government held up their NATO memberships for no reason for almost two years while the Kremlin was streaming continuous threats. Hungarians know in their bones that Russia is the primary military threat to Hungary but they do not admit it publicly and instead play a contradictory public game where relations are promoted with Russia while their long-term allies who protect them are continuously treated as enemies.
I lived in prague in 2014- somehow it was very clear who was behind the revolt. Like the Medea here it acted clueless when it happened next door. You talk about NATO and never mention who is behind it since it’s inception and still is today- until trump became President., a good percentage of members were not even paying what they promised and some still don’t. Russia and Europe have more to gain with cooperation – Russia could end exports to China and cooperate with Europe Snd both would be better off. Russians are Europeans. The nonstop ugly media about Russia before the Winter Olympics was off the charts. The western media is the biggest player. In the US it was non stop Trump was working with Putin when they knew it wasn’t true . The went ahead with years long investigations and millions of dollars. Many of Those people are still in power and there will be investigations if trump is back in power. The will have many investigations and if nothing else they will have major legal problems that could drain them like they have with trump and it’s still going on after 8 years.
If they don’t kill him first. The 2 attempt on his lid are still very questionably. The president of the US is the leader of the free world, but rarely gets a mention here..
I went to all the biggest book stores here and asked about books on trump- the only one I found was a smear job by his neice. He is the most famous man alive. Anything Hollywood get at mountains of books. I wonder if anyone knows trump had the no 1 show in the US for 15 years and went on to the UK.
Sorry, TM, Russians are not Europeans, not in the accepted sense. They’re Russians and always have been. Ethnically many, or even most of them might my Europeans, but they’re not culturally. They occupy their own domain with a long-standing persecution complex and neurosis about the world beyond their borders. They’re angry, greivance filled, feel entitled to occupy a position of dominance (I don’t know if it stems from being the world’s largest country by land area?) which they can’t hope to accomplish economically despite 2 centuries of trying, so historically they go down the route of military power while seeking to evidence their status as a world player.
Ukraine is the victim here, yes, but I’m fed up with the whole thing. I’m especially miffed about Ukraine being given virtually blank checks of MY money, on top of now TRILLIONS of dollars in “aid,” much of it unaccounted for. I’m also furious that this war continues, on the West’s insistence, when it could and should have been wrapped up more than a year ago with a settlement.
Good comment LondonSteve, and too many middle aged and older Hungarians like Turks and Russians are similar in their outlooks; misinformed, ignore & complicit in corruption, paranoid, unempowered, fearful of authority, promote conspiracies and narcissistic.
Outcome? Many then emigrate….west….. like ’56…..
Londonsteve and Anonymous, well guys, if we follow your logic, then the next step will be “there are nations which are better, smarter, etc. and there are subhumans”.
Well, one person in the first half of the 20th century already said that. We all know the result.
Only a “very smart” European person may think the way you do.
It’s clear nothing has changed. Neighbour countries are no threat, the army cannot defence the country the result will be being overruled and ruled again. The depressing attitude but also lack if will shows clearly. I wonder why Hungarian want to join the EU. Envy, greed while not willing to welcome foreigners/tourists but finding it normal they are welcomed
Ukraine the victim? Perhaps the people but PM filled his pockets and refused peace settlements. I also wonder why all those Ukrainians could leave not only the big limousines but the Flixbus drives daily several times!
How easily nazi Ukraine deeds are ignored for 8 years and these acts are way worse than Slovakia asking to stop speaking Hungarian. Strange how is measured with different standards.
Ukraine has a lot to hide or better the US has (Biden’s son, Biden porn, child and women trafficking, the Fauci labs where the manipulated “viruses” started and so on).
There’s no “aid” for the people but there are villas bought by my president and his family all over the world. Let him fight instead of wearing that outfit and being a disgrace.
1000 asked by phone represent an entire nation? I wonder what the outcome would have been if open questions were given or to written down an essay on this topic. For sure it would have looked different.
Daily news is always about Budapest which does see itself as no part of Hungary. So I wonder are those 1000 also from Budapest or this time the opinion of the “plebs” on the countryside?
It’s clear nothing has changed if it comes to the outcome of this questionnaire. Neighbour countries are no threat, the army cannot defend the country the result will be being overruled and ruled again. The depressing attitude but also lack of will show clearly. I wonder if Hungarians want to join the EU. Envy, and greedy while not willing to welcome foreigners/tourists but finding it normal they are welcome