Growing number of Ukrainians think that Hungary “plays for the Russians”
Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin says a growing number of Ukrainians think that Hungary acts against them and is playing into Russia’s hand. The diplomat laments the Hungarian government’s communication.
According to former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Pavlo Klimkin, the Hungarian government’s communication creates a false picture of Hungarians in Ukraine. The diplomat voiced his concerns to Válasz Online.
Officially, the Hungarian government, which received certain exemptions for Russian gas and raw material, voted for every EU sanction against Russia. The government provides humanitarian aid to the country, but unlike many other NATO member countries, does not offer military help to Ukraine.
The official, ever-repeated line from the government is that Hungary must do everything to help peace negotiations. However, politicians and opinion leaders close to the Hungarian government have voiced criticism towards Ukraine. Alternatively, they relativise Russia’s responsibility in the invasion of Ukraine.
Former FM Pavlo Klimkin thinks that this sort of communication through the media has dangerous consequences.
“In Ukraine, there is a growing perception that Hungary is partly playing for the Russians,” Pavlo said to Válasz Online. “With getting exceptions to energy sanctions, by simply causing complications around sanctions, by wanting to remove Russian oligarchs, by refusing to supply arms.”
“Even though Budapest has so far voted in favour of all ten sanctions packages, this attitude is particularly painful in wartime and is spreading like wildfire in the Ukrainian media.”
“The image of Hungary playing into the hands of the Russians is insanely dangerous because we must not be seen to be enemies,” says Pavlo. He says that the people of the two countries must get to know each other better to understand the nuances of their lives.
Make friends, not war
“If you were to ask someone on the streets of Kyiv right now whether they know a single Hungarian rock band or novel, or even a Hungarian in general, the answer would be that they know no one apart from Viktor Orbán. It’s a shame, we are neighbours.”
Pavlo recognises how the Hungarian government forges political capital from the current situation. However, he says that politicians must not underestimate how their not so carefully formed messages are affecting the everyday man.
“It seems to me that the Hungarian Prime Minister has the honourable but risky ambition to be a kind of bridge between the United States and China – he wants to appear bigger than he is. But it really should start with message control: understanding not only what we want to say, but also how it affects our societies.”