In an exclusive interview with Hungarian outlet Válasz Online, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a sharp critique of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s policies, accused Russia of seeking Ukraine’s total destruction, and outlined his vision for peace and Ukraine’s future. The conversation, conducted after 1,200 days of full-scale war, touched on Hungarian-Ukrainian relations, the ongoing conflict with Russia, and the prospects for peace.

Orbán’s policy: “Anti-Ukrainian and anti-European”

In a historical interview with Válasz Online, Zelensky was unequivocal in his criticism of Viktor Orbán, calling the Hungarian leader’s stance “anti-Ukrainian and anti-European.” He accused Orbán of exploiting the war for domestic political gain, particularly in the run-up to elections, and labelled this approach “dishonest.”

According to Zelensky, Orbán’s actions, such as using Zelensky’s image in government campaigns and public referenda on Ukraine’s EU membership, are unethical and risk fueling anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Hungary. “He is using Ukraine for his own electoral purposes. By not helping us, he is doing Putin a favour. That is why I said that Viktor is making a serious, historic mistake,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky also emphasised that Orbán’s position does not represent the entirety of Hungary, drawing a distinction between the Hungarian government and its people. He warned that Hungary, as a member of both the EU and NATO, should not behave as if it “hated both,” and stressed the need for mutual respect in bilateral relations.

Russian aggression: A war on Ukrainian statehood

Addressing the ongoing Russian attacks, Zelensky described the near-daily missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities as evidence that President Vladimir Putin is not interested in ending the war, but rather seeks the destruction of the Ukrainian nation and statehood. “Putin is not seeking to destroy Ukrainian cities, but rather the entire nation and its statehood,” Zelensky asserted.

He criticised those who believe Russia’s actions are mere responses to Ukrainian military operations, insisting that Moscow’s aggression is part of a long-term strategy to erase Ukraine from the map.

Zelensky argued that true peace can only be achieved if the international community recognises Putin’s real objectives and imposes meaningful pressure on Russia. He called on world leaders, particularly in the West, to move beyond simply assessing how long Ukraine can resist and instead focus on stopping Russian aggression through sanctions and other measures.

Hungarian-Ukrainian spy scandal and bilateral tensions

The interview also addressed the recent espionage scandal involving alleged Hungarian intelligence operations in Ukraine. Zelensky claimed that Hungary had attempted to interfere in Ukrainian affairs in multiple ways and that Ukrainian authorities possessed extensive evidence of these activities, including documentation of meetings and payments.

He clarified, however, that his criticism was directed at the Hungarian security services, not Orbán personally. “If [Hungary] does not want something, then to whom is it gathering information?” Zelensky asked, noting that NATO had not requested such intelligence from Hungary.

Peace talks, territorial integrity, and mobilisation challenges

On the subject of peace negotiations, Zelensky expressed scepticism about Russia’s intentions, accusing Moscow of using talks to weaken Western resolve and manipulate the diplomatic process. He reiterated that Ukraine would not recognise Russian sovereignty over occupied territories and that any discussion about Ukraine’s borders was strictly a matter for Ukraine and Russia’s leaders, not negotiable with third parties.