Peter Magyar’s Key Advisor: EU Membership Could Enable Troop Deployment to Ukraine

In the event that Ukraine becomes an EU or NATO member, states of the North Atlantic region – including Hungary – could send military units to the front line, Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, the Tisza Party's defense policy advisor, said back in December. The words of Hungary's former Chief of General Staff remain relevant today, as both the European Union leadership and the European People’s Party, to which Peter Magyar’s party belongs, are pushing for Ukraine’s accelerated EU accession.

One of Peter Magyar's main confidants is Romolusz Ruszin-Szendi, who says that Ukraine's accession to the EU could mean sending NATO troops. (Source: Frizbi TV /YouTube)

Although Tisza Party representatives did not attend the Valencia congress, EPP leaders like Manfred Weber have spoken of Peter Magyar’s party as firm supporters of Ukraine’s EU accession. This view is reinforced by a survey conducted by Tisza in March as part of their Voice of the Nation campaign. One of the questions asked about Ukraine’s EU membership, and 58% of supporters answered "yes".

A Double Game

It’s evident that Peter Magyar is avoiding this increasingly sensitive issue for political reasons, as most Hungarians currently oppose Ukraine’s EU accession. He doesn’t want to align himself with a minority view. On the other hand, the EPP expects full support from him on Ukraine.

Notably, it was clear even before last year’s European Parliament elections that joining the EPP required embracing the pro-war stance – including unlimited financial and military support for Ukraine. In April, Manfred Weber made this clear to all potential new members.

Applauding Zelensky in Ukrainian Flag T-Shirts

Accordingly, on September 19, Tisza’s MEPs voted for a pro-war resolution in the European Parliament calling for more weapons to be sent to Ukraine. Two months later, they publicly demonstrated their support by wearing Ukrainian flag T-shirts while listening to a speech by President Volodymyr Zelensky – delivered via video – marking the 1,000th day of the war.

Peter Magyar's Tisza party colleagues demonstratively showed support for Ukraine. (Source: YouTube)

In March 2025, Peter Magyar was also listed as a co-author of an EP resolution proposal stating: “The future of Europe is being decided on the Ukrainian battlefield, so we must send more weapons and ammunition.” Although the resolution was adopted by a majority, including the EPP, the Tisza MEPs abstained. For days, Peter Magyar repeatedly denied having signed the proposal and accused Fidesz of forgery.