Feb 8 • 21:55 UTC 🇳🇴 Norway Aftenposten

Orban calls Ukraine an 'enemy' in campaign speech

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban referred to Ukraine as 'our enemy' during a speech, highlighting tensions over energy dependence and political rivalry ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.

During a campaign speech in western Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban described Ukraine as 'our enemy', focusing on the nation's role in advocating for the EU to limit Hungary's access to affordable Russian energy. Orban's statement indicates rising tensions between Hungary and Ukraine, particularly as Ukraine has continually pressured Brussels to prevent Hungary from benefiting from low-cost Russian oil and gas.

Orban's remarks come at a time when he is perceived as Russia's closest ally within the European Union, maintaining a significant reliance on Russian energy supplies. Unlike other EU nations which have taken steps to reduce this dependency, Orban has not made notable efforts to diversify Hungary's energy sources, which has drawn criticism both domestically and internationally. This could further complicate Hungary's energy security and political positioning in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

With parliamentary elections scheduled for April 12, Orban finds himself in a challenging spot, facing the strongest opposition he has encountered in his 16-year tenure as prime minister. The Tisza party, led by Peter Magyar, is currently leading in polls against Orban's Fidesz party, indicating a possible shift in Hungary's political landscape if the current trends continue. The implications of this speech could resonate beyond immediate energy disputes, as it reflects deeper geopolitical alignments and internal electoral dynamics in Hungary.

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