Hungary calls Russia a 'threat to Europe and global order'

Hungary has officially declared Russia a "threat to Europe and the global order" in guidelines prepared for its delegation at the upcoming UN General Assembly. This represents a significant policy shift following Prime Minister Peter Magyar's electoral victory over the previously Russia-friendly Viktor Orban earlier this year.

The document explicitly states, "Hungary condemns Russian military aggression and fully supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders." It further adds that "Russia's behavior poses a threat to Hungary, Europe, and the global order."

In recent weeks, Budapest and Kyiv have engaged in conciliatory actions. On August 19, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha commended Hungary for closing a money laundering investigation into a Ukrainian bank convoy. Earlier in the spring, Hungarian authorities had seized two bank vehicles carrying cash and gold valued at approximately $82 million, citing an investigation into money laundering.

Furthermore, Hungary's new government officially rescinded a nine-month ban on Ukrainian media, a move implemented by the former Orban administration. These efforts aim to mend bilateral ties. The shift in Hungary's foreign policy aligns with broader European efforts, as all 27 EU member states recently approved the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.