Ukraine summons Hungary’s ambassador to protest Viktor Orban’s claims of Ukrainian election interference, as tensions escalate over EU aid and accession talks.
KYIV: Ukraine has summoned Hungary’s ambassador to protest against what it called false statements by the Hungarian leadership.
The diplomatic move came after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban alleged Ukrainian politicians were trying to sway Hungary’s forthcoming parliamentary election.
On Monday, Orban said he was summoning Ukraine’s ambassador in protest over “insulting” and threatening messages.
He claimed figures including President Volodymyr Zelensky were spreading negative messages about his government to influence the April polls.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry summoned Hungarian Ambassador Antal Heizer on Wednesday.
It expressed a “strong protest regarding recent false statements by the Hungarian leadership alleging Ukrainian interference”.
The ministry urged Hungary “to stop aggressive anti-Ukrainian rhetoric to avoid negative consequences for relations”.
Tensions between the neighbours have been strained by Orban’s support for Russia.
Relations have deteriorated further in recent weeks as Orban ramped up attacks on Ukraine ahead of the election.
Last week, Zelensky appeared to reference Orban in a speech to the World Economic Forum.
He said every “victor” who lives off European money while trying to sell out European interests “deserves a smack upside the head”.
Zelensky added that European capitals should not become “little Moscows”.
Ukraine applied to join the European Union days after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
It has been unable to advance accession talks because of vetoes imposed by Orban.
Hungary’s government announced this week it was launching a citizen’s petition aimed at blocking further EU aid for Ukraine.
