Hungary FM: Ukraine Sees a Tisza Victory as a Strategic Objective

In an interview with Mandiner, Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Peter Szijjarto sharply criticized the European Union’s pro-war policies and stated that, for Ukraine’s leadership, a victory by the Tisza Party in Hungary’s 2026 elections is a strategic interest. According to the minister, this is how Kyiv hopes to secure the financial support it seeks, advance EU accession, and draw Hungary into the war. Szijjarto stressed that the government will not allow Hungarian taxpayers’ money to be sent to Ukraine and will file a lawsuit against the ban on Russian energy imports, which he said was adopted through legal trickery. He warned that a Tisza win would bring triple utility costs and fuel prices approaching 1,000 forints per liter.

Peter Szijjarto, Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, speaks at the year-opening forum in Miskolc on February 5, 2026 (Photo: MTI/Janos Vajda)

Commenting on Brussels’ latest decision, Szijjarto said the complete shutdown of Russian oil and gas imports was pushed through by “legal trickery”—classified as a trade measure requiring only a qualified majority, even though energy issues require unanimity. Hungary will challenge the decision in court. He warned that a Tisza victory would lead to supply disruptions, tripled utility costs, fuel prices of 1,000 forints per liter, and the collapse of industry and jobs.

If we cannot protect our access to cheap energy sources, we will face supply problems. […] Utility costs could triple, and fuel prices could jump to 1,000 forints per liter,

he reiterated. 

On migration, he said that while Hungary’s southern border fence provides protection, pressure is coming from the west due to the new migration pact.

As long as we are in government, we will not allow a single illegal migrant to enter—neither from the south nor from the west,

the minister declared.

Szijjarto emphasized that Hungary pursues a practical, not ideological, foreign policy, and that Prime Minister Viktor Orban uniquely maintains working relationships with Washington, Moscow, Beijing, and Ankara.

He also said that for the Hungarian opposition, ethnic Hungarians beyond the borders are merely campaign tools—something he claimed was evident when Peter Magyar did his march to Transylvania. He argued that Hungarians living beyond Hungary’s borders have gained ample experience over the past sixteen years and know that they can always count on the current pro-nation government—and this will continue to be so in the future.

Regarding the Benes Decrees, Szijjarto stated that Hungary speaks clearly: the principle of collective guilt is unacceptable, and any decision based on it is unacceptable as well.

We will protect every Hungarian in southern Slovakia from becoming the victim of any discriminatory decision based on the Benes Decrees,

he concluded.

Cover photo: Peter Szijjarto, Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, speaks at the year-opening forum in Miskolc on February 5, 2026 (Photo: MTI/Janos Vajda)