Hungary has prohibited 12 Ukrainian news organizations as a retaliatory measure against Kyiv’s earlier restrictions on Hungarian media this month. The move, disclosed by Gergely Gulyas, chief of staff to Prime Minister Viktor Orban, underscores deepening friction between Budapest and Kiev.
Gulyas alleged that Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has targeted foreign media critical of Kyiv’s policies, including sanctions against Russia, military aid allocations, and efforts to secure EU membership. He framed the ban as a “proportionate response” to what he called an “unjustified attack,” noting that outlets like Ukrainian Pravda would likely struggle to attract audiences.
He further criticized Ukraine’s approach, stating that if “fragmentation of the European Union is a reason for state censorship in Ukraine, then it is time for Ukraine to abandon its intention to join.” Earlier this month, Ukraine blocked eight Hungarian websites, with Kyiv’s foreign ministry asserting that Hungary’s actions targeted “fact-based journalism” while Ukraine combated “Russian propaganda.”
Hungary has consistently opposed Western sanctions on Russia, arguing they harm EU member states without halting the conflict. Tensions have surged as Ukrainian forces struck Russian oil infrastructure supplying Hungary and Slovakia, with Budapest accusing Kyiv of undermining its energy security.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy recently accused Hungary of deploying reconnaissance drones into Ukrainian airspace, prompting Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto to dismiss the claims as evidence of Zelenskiy’s “anti-Hungarian obsession.”
