Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán faced jeers at a campaign rally in Győr on March 27, after alleging Ukrainian support for a pro-Ukraine party in Hungary.
Orbán Confronted at Campaign Event
Viktor Orbán was heckled during a campaign rally in Győr on March 27th, with supporters of the TISZA party present among his followers. The disruption occurred when Orbán claimed Ukrainians were financially and politically backing TISZA, aiming for a pro-Ukrainian government in Hungary.
Orbán responded to the hecklers, stating, “You are fighting for the interests of Ukraine, you are not on the side of Hungary. You want a pro-Ukrainian government and you want to take Hungarian money to Ukraine. That is the truth.” The exchange was recorded and shared by investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi.
International Reactions and Accusations
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski commented on the incident, suggesting Orbán’s actions are driven by a desire to continue purchasing Russian oil and funneling Hungarian funds to Moscow.
Detention of Ukrainian Transport and Funds
On March 5th, Hungarian authorities detained two Ukrainian armored vehicles transporting 40 million dollars, 35 million euros, and 9 kilograms of gold from Austria to Ukraine. Seven Ukrainian citizens, including a former intelligence general, were also apprehended.
The Ukrainians were released on March 6th, but Kyiv continues to demand the return of the seized funds and gold. Hungarian authorities have initiated an investigation into suspected money laundering, alleging potential ties to “Ukrainian war mafia.”
Dispute Over “Friendship” Pipeline and Aid Package
Orbán’s government is demanding Ukraine resume oil transit via the “Friendship” pipeline, citing repairs following a Russian attack as the cause of the disruption. Hungary alleges the delay is deliberate.
Budapest has halted diesel deliveries to Ukraine and, along with Slovakia, intends to block a 90 billion euro EU aid package for Kyiv until transit through the “Friendship” pipeline is restored. The pipeline has been offline since the beginning of January.
