In the latest sign of deteriorating relations, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Hungarian Ambassador to Kyiv Antal Hejzer in response to an advertising campaign portraying Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar as the ‘Hungarian Zelenskyy’. Ukraine’s EU accession is increasingly becoming a central topic in the electoral campaign for Hungary’s 2026 parliamentary election.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán voiced strong opposition to Ukraine’s EU accession, warning it would cripple Hungary’s economy. In a radio interview, he criticized Brussels’ pressure and emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting Hungarian interests.
The European Parliament will debate and vote next week on a no-confidence motion against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, triggered by criticism over undisclosed vaccine-related messages with Pfizer’s CEO during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to global economic uncertainty, central banks in both Europe and the US have raised their inflation forecasts and cut growth expectations. Hungary, however, anticipates modest growth this year, supported by strong domestic consumption and a stable banking sector.
As of 1 July 2025, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has ended all of its operations, with the remaining programmes continuing under the State Department’s oversight. Political Director to the Hungarian Prime Minister Balázs Orbán welcomed the decision, emphasizing its significance in reducing foreign interference against sovereignist governments.
‘In short, for the vast majority of the people in the region, Hungary would be the most acceptable and desirable form of Europe and Europeanization. Of course, the close connection with Trump, whom many truly appreciate and respect in the Balkans, also significantly contributes to this.’
The Hungarian government took every step to protect Hungary and the Hungarian families.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on Hungarian authorities to allow the Budapest Pride march—scheduled for Saturday—to proceed, despite new legislation banning it. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán urged von der Leyen not to interfere in Hungary’s domestic affairs.
Hungary has received extensive negative coverage from the mainstream media in the West after the National Assembly passed a law restricting the Budapest Pride march earlier this year. Back in 2019, however, the coverage was very different when city officials in Modesto, California, denied the permit for a straight pride parade.
The European Commission’s latest country-specific recommendations have drawn strong criticism from the Center for Fundamental Rights, which claims Brussels is pushing Hungary to abandon popular domestic policies in favour of multinational and geopolitical interests.