The Sovereignty Protection Office said it has prepared an analysis on foreign-funded disinformation campaigns launched in Hungary in connection with the Russia-Ukraine war "that seek to undermine the government’s pro-peace foreign policy".
The office said in a statement that its analysis showed that these operations aimed not only to mislead the Hungarian public but also to limit the country’s sovereign decision-making by undermining public trust.
The aim, it said, was to use "moral and political pressure" to force Hungary to support international decisions that go against its national interests, such as backing Ukraine’s European Union accession or providing military support to the country.
The office identified four main types of campaigns being waged against the government’s pro-peace stance. The first, it said, involved "a series of coordinated attacks" aimed at discrediting the government through political actions and media appearances. One example of such a campaign was Ukraine’s claim that Hungary is operating a military spy network in Transcarpathia, they added.
The second type of campaign uses moral pressure to stigmatise the government’s pro-peace stance, implying that "anyone who is not with Ukraine is with Russia", the office said.
The third type of operation aims to stir up fears of war, insisting that Hungary can only counter the threat posed by Russia by taking on a military role, they said.
The office said the fourth narrative urged European centralisation, presenting Hungary’s veto power and sovereignty as obstacles.
"These campaigns spread via media networks and propaganda infrastructure financed by Brussels…" the office said.