Hungarian leaders commented on the overnight missile strike on the western Ukrainian city of Mukachevo on 21 August 2025, but stopped short of linking the attack to Russia or condemning Moscow. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, in his public remarks, focused on the need for continued peace efforts initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump, without mentioning the Russian strike that hit the American-owned Flex plant in Zakarpattia region.
Orbán and Szijjártó stress peace talks without naming Russia
In his statement, Orbán said that “efforts to establish peace and the negotiation process initiated by President Trump must continue,” avoiding any reference to Russia as the perpetrator of the strike. Similarly, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, reacting to reports of the attack, emphasized the urgency of reaching a peace agreement. Writing on Facebook, he noted that “the news from Ukraine this morning once again confirms that peace is needed as soon as possible,” but did not identify Russia as responsible for the assault on Ukrainian territory.
Fidesz party echoes calls for peace
Tamás Menczer, communications director of Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party, aligned with the prime minister and foreign minister, framing the missile strike as “the events of last night” and underscoring that peace talks with Moscow were needed above all else. “The events of last night do not prove that peace negotiations are unnecessary. On the contrary, they prove that peace talks are needed above all,” Menczer wrote in his post, again without mentioning Russia.
Ukrainian and European reactions highlight dissonance
Kyiv has interpreted the absence of explicit condemnation as a sign of Hungary ignoring the reality of Russian war crimes. Ukrainian officials insist that genuine peace is only possible once Russian strikes stop and those responsible are held accountable. They stress that peace appeals without acknowledging the aggressor risk legitimizing the war. The EU, by contrast, consistently condemns Russian attacks on Ukraine, stressing Moscow’s sole responsibility. The tone of Hungarian leaders stands in contrast to the unified European line, raising concerns about weakening collective security and solidarity among EU members engaged in countering Russian aggression.
Broader context of Hungary’s minority demands
Hungary’s stance is further complicated by its longstanding demands concerning the rights of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine. In June 2024, Budapest insisted on recognizing all settlements in Zakarpattia as “traditionally Hungarian,” including places with no historical Hungarian population. This dispute has already strained bilateral relations, and the muted Hungarian response to the Mukachevo strike risks deepening mistrust between the two neighbors.
