In a move that further strains already fraught relations, Hungary announced its decision to block access to 12 Ukrainian news sites. This action comes as a direct response to Ukraine’s earlier censorship of several websites, deepening the media conflict between the two neighboring countries amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier this month, Ukrainian security services initiated a blockade of various websites, citing concerns over their alleged pro-Russian content. Among those affected were eight Hungarian-language portals, including ‘origo.hu’, a popular pro-government news site.
Gergely Gulyas, Chief of Staff to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, justified Budapest’s measure in a recent social media post, stating, “A sovereign country must give a proportional response to an entirely unjustified attack.”
Many of the Ukrainian websites now targeted by Hungary are widely read within Ukraine. Notably, ‘European Pravda’, a prominent outlet, has closely monitored Ukraine’s aspirations for EU accession and Hungary’s attempts to impede this process.
Gulyas asserted that Ukraine’s ban on Hungarian portals stemmed from their critical coverage of sanctions against Russia and military aid to Ukraine. He also claimed they highlighted perceived fragmentation and ineffectiveness within the European Union and NATO alliance.
He further elaborated, “If the fragmentation of the European Union provides grounds for state censorship in Ukraine, then it is time for Ukraine to renounce its intention to join.”
Additionally, Gulyas alleged that the Hungarian sites were blocked by Ukraine for “daring to report on the influence activities of the Soros Foundation.” Hungarian-born financier George Soros and his liberal ideology have consistently been a point of contention for Orban’s Fidesz party over the past decade.
Prime Minister Orban has consistently expressed skepticism regarding Western military assistance for Ukraine and has maintained a notably more amicable relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin compared to other NATO and EU member states.
As of now, Ukraine has not issued an immediate official response to Hungary’s latest move to block these websites.