Hungarian opposition leader accuses Russia of political interference
FILE PHOTO: Peter Magyar, leader of the opposition Tisza party, looks on at a party rally in Szekesfehervar, Hungary, July 26, 2025. REUTERS/Marton Monus/File Photo
BUDAPEST - Opposition leader Peter Magyar accused Russia on Thursday of interfering in Hungarian politics after Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) issued a statement alleging that the European Commission was considering "regime change in Budapest".
In power since 2010, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been criticised by some fellow EU leaders for his government's warm ties with Moscow and opposition to military aid for Ukraine against Russia's invasion, while his cabinet is struggling to revive the economy from an inflationary shock.
Some political analysts say that with Orban's right-wing Fidesz trailing Magyar's centre-right Tisza Party in polls, the veteran nationalist faces what could be the toughest challenge to his long rule at a parliamentary election due next spring.
The SVR statement, published on Wednesday, said that based on information it had received, the European Commission viewed the current leadership of Hungary as an increasingly serious obstacle to a "united Europe".
Last October Orban, who has strongly opposed EU efforts to ban Russian energy imports, also alleged that the EU executive was trying to overthrow his government and impose a "puppet" administration on Budapest.
"Brussels is furious about Budapest's attempts to pursue an independent policy and influence collective decision-making, especially regarding Russia and Ukraine," the SVR said, describing Magyar as being loyal to "globalist elites".
Magyar said Russia was trying to intervene directly to sway voters in Hungary, which is also a member of the NATO military alliance but under Orban has refused to send weapons to neighbouring Ukraine.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Bukit Merah fire: Residents relocated as town council carries out restoration works
Singapore askST: What to do in the event of a fire at home
Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF
Singapore askST: What are the fire safety rules for PMDs?
Asia AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at wrong airport in South Korea
Opinion Could telco consolidation spell the end of attractive mobile plans?
Singapore Change in law proposed to pave the way for public-private sector data sharing
Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength
"Yesterday an operation was officially launched against Hungary. A foreign, non-allied country is actively intervening in the domestic matters of our country," Magyar said on Facebook.
Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said the SVR statement contained "nothing new," repeating eurosceptic Orban's previous allegations of EU leaders plotting to oust him.
Orban, who has maintained close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin even after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, became the only EU leader on Monday not to endorse a joint statement saying Ukraine should have the freedom to decide its future.
Ahead of a summit in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin on Friday, Orban also said Russia had won the war in Ukraine. REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
36 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Nordic-Baltic leaders say they remain steadfast in support of Ukraine
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin walk to a joint news conference following their meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., August 15, 2025. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo The leaders of eight Nordic-Baltic nations said on Saturday that they remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine and to the efforts by US President Donald Trump to end the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The leaders of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden said in a statement that achieving peace between Ukraine and Russia requires a ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine. "We welcome President Trump's statement that the US is prepared to participate in security guarantees. No limitations should be placed on Ukraine's armed forces or on its cooperation with other countries," the statement said. Trump has said that he had agreed with Putin that a peace deal should be sought without the prior ceasefire that Ukraine and its European allies, until now with US support, have demanded. REUTERS
International Business Times
an hour ago
- International Business Times
Trump Delivers Personal Letter from Melania to Putin on Plight of Children in Ukraine, Russia
August 16, 2025 21:43 +08 Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump met at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, in a bid to end Ukraine war X US President Donald Trump has reportedly hand-delivered a personal letter from First Lady Melania Trump to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (August 15). The private letter was about the plight of children in Ukraine and Russia, a news report stated, citing White House officials. The officials did not divulge into the details on the content of the letter, other than mentioning that it raised concerns about the abduction of children in the war zone over the last three years, the White House officials told Reuters. Though Melania was born in Slovenia, she did not accompany Trump to Alaska. The letter was delivered to the Russian President at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson during their summit talks in Anchorage, Alaska. During the meeting, which lasted for almost three hours, the two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine. It was their first meeting in six years, and the US President emphasized for peace in the region. But the discussion ended without a ceasefire deal. Plight of Children in Ukraine and Russia The abduction of children has been a sensitive issue between the US, Ukraine, and Russia. Ukraine claimed tens of thousands have been taken from its territory to Russia or Russian-occupied areas without parental consent, according to Ukrainian officials. Although exact figures are unclear, Ukraine reported in March that around 19,500 children have been abducted by Russia, though the actual number could be much higher. Russia said the reason for taking the children away was to protect them from the war zone conditions. However, the United Nations Human Rights Office said the abduction of vulnerable children from Ukraine to Russia was an unlawful act by the country. The organization said the country violated the rights of these children since 2022, when Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Two years ago, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin, accusing him of war crimes for unlawfully transferring children and deporting them from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
US ready to be part of security guarantees for Ukraine, Germany's Merz says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz visits the town of Irpin, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, outside Kyiv, Ukraine May 3, 2022. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko BERLIN - The U.S. is ready to be part of security guarantees for Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Saturday, a day after a summit in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "And the good news is that America is ready to participate in such security guarantees and is not leaving it to the Europeans alone," Merz told German public broadcaster ZDF after being briefed together with other European leaders by Trump on his talks with Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is due to meet Trump on Monday in Washington, after which a three-way meeting between Putin, Trump and Zelenskiy should be held as soon as possible with the aim of reaching a peace agreement, Merz said. "If that works out, it's worth more than a ceasefire," he said. Merz said Trump had indicated that Russia seemed ready to negotiate based on the front lines of the conflict, rather than the borders of Ukrainian regions it claims. "This is a huge difference because Russia is claiming territories that it hasn't occupied yet," he said. Speaking separately to German broadcaster n-tv, Merz said he did not think Zelenskiy would face as difficult a time in Washington with Trump as he had in February, when the two leaders clashed in an extraordinary exchange before the world's media at the White House. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 280 vapes seized, more than 640 people checked by police, HSA in anti-vape raids at nightspots Singapore SPLRT disruption: 28km of cables to be tested during off-service hours; works to end by Aug 23 Singapore First-half GDP boost likely temporary; Republic must stay relevant amid challenges: Chan Chun Sing Life Six-figure sales each durian season: Why S'pore durian sellers are now live selling on TikTok Singapore Airport-bound public bus to be fitted with luggage rack in 3-month trial: LTA Asia Australian universities slash staff, courses as rising wages and foreign student curbs bite Life Meet the tutors who take O-level exams every year to create a 'war mate' bond with their students Life Pivot or perish: How Singapore restaurants are giving diners what they want Merz said Zelenskiy would on Sunday talk to European leaders who would help him prepare for the meeting. "We'll give a few good pieces of advice," he said. Merz told ZDF that while it was important that Europe stand united, the U.S. would for the time being continue to play the decisive role in the war, which has raged since 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. "The American president has the power both militarily and via appropriate sanctions and tariffs to ensure that Russia moves more than it currently does," he said. REUTERS
