Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has declared Ukraine an “enemy” of Hungary, escalating a dispute over Kyiv’s calls for the European Union to halt imports of cheap Russian energy. The statement, made during a rally in Szombathely on February 7th, reflects a deepening rift between Budapest and Kyiv as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues.
Orbán’s comments came shortly after the Council of the EU approved plans to ban Russian gas purchases by 2027, a decision challenged by Hungary and Slovakia, both countries heavily reliant on Russian gas supplies, in the European Court of Justice. He insisted that Hungarians should not seek military or economic cooperation with Ukraine, arguing they are being “dragged into war.”
The escalating rhetoric coincides with a politically sensitive period for Orbán, who faces parliamentary elections on April 12th. Recent polls indicate the opposition Tisza Party holds an 8 to 12 percentage point lead over Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party, according to reports from February 14th. Orbán has framed the upcoming election as a battle against foreign influence, pledging to dismantle what he calls the EU’s “oppressive machinery.”
Simultaneously, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Hungary in late November 2025, describing relations between the two countries as entering a “golden age” rooted in the personal relationship between Donald Trump and Orbán. This visit, along with a prior stop in Bratislava, has been interpreted as a symbolic endorsement of EU-skeptic governments and a promotion of a conservative values alliance by Washington.
The US is leveraging trade, particularly in energy, to strengthen ties with Hungary. This includes promoting US liquefied natural gas as an alternative to Russian supplies and exploring increased US engagement in Hungary’s nuclear energy sector. A recent disruption to the Druzhba oil pipeline has further complicated the energy landscape, creating additional leverage for the US.
Orbán’s potential defeat in the April elections could represent a significant shift for the EU, as his challenger, Péter Magyar, has pledged to de-escalate conflicts with the EU over rule of law concerns and to more aggressively combat corruption. However, the impact of international signals on the election outcome remains uncertain.
Beyond Ukraine, tensions are rising around Iran. While diplomatic efforts continue in Geneva, the US is visibly preparing military options, including the potential deployment of F-22 jets to the region. These preparations are driven by concerns that Teheran is employing delay tactics in negotiations, and a prolonged conflict could pose a political risk for Trump, whose base is sensitive to extended military engagements.
Negotiations in Geneva aimed at ending the war in Ukraine have yielded no concrete results after two days of talks. Russia is again being represented by Vladimir Medinsky, a key figure in previous, unsuccessful negotiations in 2022. The core issue remains unresolved: Ukraine is unwilling to cede territory, while Russia continues to demand it.