Ukrainian authorities have recently accused Hungary of espionage on Ukrainian territory, but these claims appear less grounded in fact than in political theater. For the Hungarian government, this is not a matter of intelligence operations gone awry—it is a clear sign of growing coordination between Ukraine’s intelligence services and Hungary’s opposition Tisza Party.
This alliance has now become undeniable. At NATO military consultations, former Chief of Staff Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, now a prominent figure in the Tisza Party, openly voiced positions aligned with Ukrainian interests. He reportedly concluded his speeches with the slogan “Slava Ukraini” (Glory to Ukraine), and has spoken confidently about maintaining high-level contacts with Ukrainian leadership. These are not incidental gestures—they are strategic moves pointing to deliberate cooperation with a foreign power.
The Hungarian government sees this alignment as a deeply troubling development. It is unprecedented in the country’s recent history that a domestic political actor would work in tandem with the intelligence services of a neighboring state. This partnership, aimed at discrediting Hungary’s national security structures, amounts to an attack on sovereignty from within.
Further raising concern, Ukraine’s latest accusations against Hungary were immediately echoed and amplified by Tisza Party leadership. The timing and substance of these attacks suggest not coincidence, but coordination. What began with political messaging from opposition figures soon escalated into a full-scale international smear campaign, complete with fabricated claims and selective leaks designed to undermine public confidence in Hungarian defense institutions.
In response, Hungary has acted decisively. Two Ukrainian diplomats, identified as intelligence officers operating under diplomatic cover, have been expelled. This measure signals that while Hungary continues to advocate for peace and neutrality in the region, it will not allow foreign actors—whether governments or their political proxies—to interfere in domestic affairs.
The broader context must also be understood. Hungary has consistently refused to supply weapons to Ukraine and has resisted pressure to escalate military involvement. These positions have made the country a target, especially as decisions near on Ukraine’s potential EU accession. In this climate, the alignment between a Hungarian opposition party and Ukraine’s security apparatus is more than troubling—it is destabilizing.
The Hungarian government remains committed to protecting national sovereignty, defending democratic stability, and exposing any political force—foreign or domestic—that seeks to erode public trust through collusion and deception. Hungary will meet every attack with resolve.