On Ukraine, he hasn’t framed Kyiv as an enemy — however has studiously averted any constructive value determinations, figuring out they might play badly on the poll field.
That’s as a result of anti-Ukrainian sentiment is deeply rooted in Hungary. In line with an autumn 2025 poll by the Policy Solutions think tank, half of Hungarians contemplate Ukraine harmful for Hungary, whereas 64 p.c oppose Ukraine’s EU accession and 74 p.c consider the Hungarian authorities shouldn’t ship monetary help to Kyiv.
Notably, Zelenskyy is without doubt one of the most hated politicians within the nation, degree with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Péter Magyar actually doesn’t have huge room for maneuver on Ukraine,” mentioned Coverage Options Director András Biró-Nagy. Orbán’s anti-Ukraine campaigning through Fidesz-aligned media during the last 4 years has sharply eroded help for Kyiv, he defined. “On Ukraine, there was no competing narrative … Magyar tries to keep away from the problem as a result of he thinks it is a misplaced trigger; he can not flip it round.”
Through the Tisza-organized Nationwide Day occasions in March, an enormous Ukraine flag was unfurled among the many crowd in protest. However Magyar and impartial media accused Fidesz of staging the incident to stir controversy. “As soon as once more, Fidesz and its propaganda machine may solely muster pathetic lies and a provocation involving a Ukrainian flag,” Magyar mentioned. The ruling celebration has denied the allegation.
Such makes an attempt to fire up tensions are in all places. The nation’s streets are flooded with billboards depicting the Ukrainian president smiling, with the message: “Don’t let Zelenskyy have the final snigger.” And a brand new marketing campaign poster design options black-and-white mugshots of Zelenskyy and Magyar beneath the slogan: “They’re harmful.”
“I can not think about a scarier factor than to declare the sufferer the aggressor … that is what Orbán is doing, it’s actually stomach-turning and disgusting,” mentioned MP Timea Szabó of the Dialogue for Hungary inexperienced celebration, who’s working for reelection as an impartial in a Budapest district.
