Ukrainian security services intensify their activity in Hungary ahead of 2026 parliamentary elections - Orban

WARSAW. July 4 (Interfax) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accused Ukraine of attempts to influence the Hungarian parliamentary elections due in 2026.

"Ukraine has embedded security service officers in Hungary and tasked them with influencing the 2026 parliamentary elections in order to bring pro-Ukrainian forces to power so that they could promote Kiev's rapprochement with the European Union," the Polish television channel Polsat quoted Orban as saying on Friday.

"The activity of Ukrainian security services is being constantly observed in Hungary," he said.

The activity of Ukrainian security service is obvious both in the political field and among national organizations and media outlets, Orban said.

The channel reminded its audience that Hungary expelled two Ukrainian diplomats in May. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto accused them of spying. Kiev said, for its part, that two Hungarian diplomats must leave Ukraine.

Relations between Kiev and Budapest have been tense for a while. Orban is opposed to further rapprochement between Ukraine and the EU, and Hungary denies any military support for Ukraine.