(KYIV, UKRAINE) – Allegations of Russian interference in Hungary’s upcoming parliamentary elections have emerged alongside renewed assurances of German political and military support for Ukraine, highlighting how the war launched by the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin continues to reshape European politics beyond the battlefield.
Investigative journalists say Moscow is attempting to influence Hungary’s elections scheduled for April 2026 through disinformation campaigns and political influence operations aimed at keeping Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government in power.
At the same time, Germany’s political leadership has delivered a clear message of continued support for Ukraine during a high level visit to Kyiv. Germany has pledged further funding, reconnaissance drones and additional military assistance as European leaders stress the need to maintain pressure on Moscow.
As Russian forces struggle to achieve their objectives on the battlefield in Ukraine, analysts say the Kremlin is increasingly turning to political influence campaigns across Europe.
Hungary has become one of the central concerns for investigators examining possible Kremlin interference.
An investigation by the VSquare project reported that Hungary has developed into a safe environment for Russian intelligence activity and that Moscow maintains close ties with the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
According to the investigation, the Kremlin has organised an influence operation ahead of Hungary’s parliamentary elections with the aim of strengthening the position of the ruling Fidesz party and securing Orbán’s re election.
The operation is reportedly overseen by Sergey Kiriyenko, first deputy chief of staff to the Russian dictator.
Investigators say the plan includes placing a team of social media manipulation specialists inside the Russian embassy in Budapest. These individuals are reportedly provided with diplomatic or service passports which would protect them from expulsion.
The Hungarian opposition has also raised concerns about possible election interference.
Péter Magyar, leader of the opposition TISZA party, said the ruling Fidesz party is working with Russian political strategists on a disinformation campaign ahead of the vote.
According to Magyar, videos generated with artificial intelligence are expected to circulate on social media as part of the campaign.
He said fourteen fabricated smear videos targeting a TISZA candidate and members of his family have already been prepared.
“These videos will be promoted through fake profiles with advertising budgets worth tens of millions of forints,” Magyar said in a statement.
Magyar called on Prime Minister Orbán to stop what he described as election manipulation and to expel Russian agents from Hungary.
Tensions between Hungary and Ukraine have also increased following a dispute involving Ukrainian financial assets.
Workers from Ukraine’s state owned Oschadbank were transporting cash and gold through Hungary when Hungarian authorities detained them and seized the valuables.
Hungary’s Minister of Construction and Transport János Lázár later stated that the detention was linked to the suspension of Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline.
He also suggested that similar actions could occur again.
Kyiv described the statement as a threat.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Hungarian ambassador and declared that pressure on Ukrainian financial institutions is unacceptable.
Despite the protest, the Hungarian government decided to retain the confiscated funds and gold, further increasing tensions between the two countries.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticised the actions sharply.
“The mask has slipped. Hungary’s officials no longer hide their blackmail. They openly admit to taking hostages and seizing money in order to demand concessions. Such actions must be called by their name. State terrorism,” Sybiha wrote on the social platform X.
The dispute is linked to disruptions involving the Druzhba oil pipeline.
At the end of January the pipeline was seriously damaged by a Russian drone strike, which halted the transit of Russian oil to Hungary.
Despite this, Orbán stated that he expected Ukraine to restore the oil supply.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded that repairs to the pipeline could take more than a month.
“Personally, I would not restore it at all because it carries Russian oil. That is my position. There are principles that have no price. They are killing us and we are supposed to supply oil so that Orbán can win elections,” Zelenskyy said.
Experts say Orbán’s political position is becoming increasingly uncertain ahead of the election.
For the first time since 2010 the ruling Fidesz party could face a serious challenge.
Polling trends indicate that the opposition TISZA party currently leads in the nationwide vote.
However, Hungary’s parliamentary majority is determined largely by single member districts, making the final result difficult to predict.
Analysts say Orbán has intensified anti Ukrainian rhetoric in the run up to the election in an attempt to maintain support and divert attention from corruption scandals and economic difficulties.
Hungary has also blocked several European Union initiatives supporting Ukraine.
Budapest opposed the adoption of the European Union’s 20th sanctions package against Russia and blocked a proposed 90 billion euro European Union loan for Ukraine.
That loan is equivalent to about 97 billion US dollars.
Hungarian lawmakers also passed a resolution rejecting Ukraine’s future membership of the European Union and opposing further European funding for Ukraine’s military needs.
The position contrasts with the majority of European Union member states, which officially support Ukraine’s European integration.
While Russia attempts to expand its political influence in Europe, Ukraine’s partners have continued to emphasise their support.
During her first official visit to Kyiv, Bundestag President Julia Klöckner addressed Ukraine’s parliament and reaffirmed Germany’s commitment.
“Pressure should be directed at Moscow, not at Ukraine,” she told lawmakers.
Germany has also allocated an additional 200 million euros in funding for civil protection measures and reconnaissance drones.
The funding is equivalent to about 218 million US dollars.
“Germany is in Putin’s field of vision and we fully support Ukraine politically, financially, humanitarianly and militarily,” Klöckner said.
She added that the assistance was not a favour but a necessity and highlighted the value of Ukraine’s experience in defending against Russian aggression.
Germany has also warned that European support must continue despite other international crises.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe must not allow events elsewhere to distract from the war in Ukraine.
Speaking during a press conference with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, Merz said the Kremlin is closely monitoring whether other conflicts create opportunities to weaken European support for Kyiv.
He emphasised the importance of the Czech led initiative supplying ammunition to Ukraine and said Europe must participate directly in any negotiations on ending the war.
Ukraine has also confirmed the arrival of a new shipment of PAC 3 missiles for Patriot air defence systems from Germany.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the missiles were part of a broader air defence package agreed with partners.
“Ukraine needs more ammunition, but every delivery is critically important,” Zelenskyy said.
According to Germany’s Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, General Carsten Breuer, Ukrainian military instructors will also help train German soldiers to prepare for a potential Russian attack against NATO territory.
Germany is the first country to reach such an agreement with Ukraine, although other countries are expected to follow.
European officials say that while the Kremlin seeks to divide Europe politically, cooperation between democratic countries is becoming stronger.
Political, economic and military coordination between Ukraine and its partners has increased significantly during the war.
