Orban, in power for 16 years and widely seen as Moscow’s closest ally within the European Union, has framed Ukraine as a source of instability while positioning his government as a guarantor of peace and security.

Analysts say the approach seeks to shift focus away from domestic economic concerns that have boosted support for opposition leader Peter Magyar.“The campaign’s rhetoric is deliberately binary peace versus war portraying Ukraine as a risk and the incumbent Hungarian government as seeking stability,” Csilla Fedinec, a historian at ELTE University’s Center for Social Sciences, said.

Tensions between Hungary and Ukraine have escalated in recent months, including disputes over a Russian oil pipeline supplying landlocked Hungary. Budapest has accused Kyiv of delaying its reopening, while Ukraine says the infrastructure was damaged by Russian air strikes in January.

Hungary has also delayed approval of a 90-billion-euro European Union loan package for Ukraine and opposed additional sanctions on Russia, underscoring divisions within the bloc over support for Kyiv.Analysts and cybersecurity experts say disinformation has featured prominently in the campaign.

Pro-government media outlets circulated AI-generated images exaggerating the scale of valuables seized from Ukrainian bank employees detained briefly by Hungarian authorities.

Social media posts featuring such content recorded high engagement, with signs of coordinated activity including accounts lacking identifiable information.Separately, fabricated images depicting vandalism of a Hungarian memorial in Ukraine’s Transcarpathia region circulated online, prompting hostile reactions despite later being identified as artificial.

Experts say such incidents reflect broader patterns of election-related disinformation.Ferenc Fresz, former head of Hungary’s Cyber Defense Service, said there is ongoing evidence of attempts to influence voters through coordinated messaging, including deepfakes presented as news content.

He said narratives attributed to Russian-linked actors often align with pro-government messaging, reinforcing their impact.Hungarian officials, including Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, have rejected claims of Russian interference as unfounded.Orban has also sought to portray his main rival as aligned with foreign interests, including Ukraine and the European Union.

At a rally in Budapest, he framed the election as a choice between his leadership and that of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.Shortly after, images circulated of individuals displaying a Ukrainian flag at an opposition event, which were later linked to affiliates of Orban’s own party, prompting accusations of staged political tactics.

Opposition leader Magyar dismissed the incident as a “false flag operation.”AI-manipulated imagery has also been used to target Magyar directly, including altered visuals suggesting his support for Ukraine.

Billboards critical of Zelensky have appeared across Hungary over the past year, sometimes alongside depictions of opposition figures.Despite contested claims and fabricated content, analysts say the campaign resonates with segments of the electorate concerned about being drawn into the Ukraine war.

Political scientist Eszter Kovats of the University of Vienna said such messaging taps into broader anxieties amplified by discussions across Europe on rearmament and conscription.

She said the ruling party’s strategy appeals to voters’ desire for stability, presenting continuity as a safer option in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment.

Rising energy costs linked to the conflict and fears of a renewed refugee influx have elevated the Middle East crisis to a central issue at the summit, officials said, alongside efforts to secure agreement on a 90 billion-euro ($104 billion) loan intended to support Ukraine’s war-strained finances.

Energy and Middle East concernsLeaders are weighing options to mitigate economic shocks from the conflict, including proposals from the European Commission for a “toolbox” of measures aimed at lowering energy prices across the 27-nation bloc. A senior EU diplomat said no single policy would suit the bloc’s diverse energy markets, underscoring the complexity of the response.

Several EU countries have resisted calls from U.S. President Donald Trump to deploy military assets to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global shipments of oil, gas and fertilizer, reflecting caution over deeper involvement in the conflict.

The summit is also focused on a standoff between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and other EU leaders over the Ukraine loan agreed in principle in December. Orbán withdrew support after disruptions to the Druzhba oil pipeline earlier this year, citing energy security concerns.

“If there is no oil, there is no money,” Orbán said in a social media post, linking Hungary’s backing of the loan to stable energy supplies.

EU officials are seeking to persuade Hungary and Slovakia, whose Prime Minister Robert Fico has also adopted pro-Russia positions, to lift their objections. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has preposed EU funding to repair the Druzhba pipeline and develop alternative supply routes for both countries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said blocking the loan was “absolutely unfair,” stressing that the funds are essential as Kyiv faces a deepening budget crisis amid its war with Russia, which began in February 2022.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged swift agreement on both the loan and a new package of sanctions against Moscow, warning against allowing domestic political considerations within member states to hinder collective action.

He said the EU must “increase the pressure on Moscow together,” in coordination with the United States, as leaders gather to reconcile internal divisions with mounting geopolitical and economic pressures.

In a significant meeting in Riyadh, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Asheikh, Speaker of the Shoura Council, welcomed Hungary’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Attila Tar, to discuss enhancing bilateral relations and exploring avenues for collaboration between the two nations.

The meeting underscored Saudi Arabia’s dedication to deepening political, economic, and cultural ties with European countries, reflecting its proactive approach to global diplomacy.

During the meeting, both Sheikh Abdullah Al-Asheikh and Ambassador Tar reviewed the current state of bilateral relations and identified areas where cooperation could be strengthened. They focused on fostering legislative collaboration, sharing experiences between the Shoura Council and the Hungarian parliament, and promoting dialogue on matters of mutual interest.

This exchange of ideas aims to establish a stronger partnership between the two legislative bodies, enhancing the effectiveness of parliamentary cooperation and providing a framework for knowledge-sharing and best practices in governance.

The Shoura Council, as a key institution in Saudi Arabia’s governance structure, plays a crucial role in advising on legislation and supporting the Kingdom’s development objectives.

By engaging with international parliamentary counterparts like Hungary, the Council continues to advance Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, which include promoting global partnerships, enhancing institutional expertise, and fostering international collaboration in governance, education, and policy development.

This engagement aligns with the Kingdom’s broader strategy of integrating global perspectives into domestic policymaking while promoting transparency and accountability.

The meeting also highlighted opportunities to collaborate in areas beyond legislation, such as culture, education, technology, and research.

Sheikh Abdullah Al-Asheikh emphasized that dialogue and partnership with international counterparts are essential for achieving shared goals, exchanging knowledge, and building long-term relationships that benefit both nations.

Ambassador Tar expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s efforts to create strong institutional partnerships and reiterated Hungary’s commitment to supporting collaborative initiatives that enhance mutual understanding and development.

The discussion reflected a shared vision of reinforcing ties not only at the governmental and parliamentary level but also in people-to-people connections.

Educational exchanges, joint research projects, and cultural initiatives were identified as potential areas for future collaboration, allowing citizens of both countries to benefit from cross-cultural learning and professional development.

These initiatives are expected to foster goodwill and create a foundation for sustainable, long-term cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Hungary.

Meanwhile, the meeting coincided with Riyadh Governor Prince Faisal bin Bandar receiving the UAE’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Matar Salem Ali Marran Al-Dhaheri, wishing him success in his new role.

This highlights the Kingdom’s consistent efforts to strengthen diplomatic relations with both regional and international partners, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a center for dialogue and cooperation.

By engaging with Hungary and other international partners, Saudi Arabia is promoting a culture of collaboration and inclusivity, reflecting its commitment to fostering strong global networks.

The discussions between the Shoura Council and Hungary’s diplomatic representatives are a testament to the Kingdom’s dedication to building meaningful partnerships, advancing legislative and cultural exchange, and contributing to global progress.

This visit not only strengthens Saudi-Hungarian ties but also demonstrates the Kingdom’s openness to international collaboration, its emphasis on effective governance, and its proactive approach to fostering partnerships that support peace, stability, and development.

By prioritizing dialogue, knowledge exchange, and mutual support, Saudi Arabia continues to enhance its global standing and reinforce its vision of a connected, cooperative, and prosperous future.

The positive outcomes of the meeting are expected to pave the way for future joint initiatives, deepen mutual understanding, and broaden opportunities for collaboration across multiple sectors.

Through such high-level diplomatic engagements, Saudi Arabia reaffirms its commitment to international partnership, cultural exchange, and the advancement of shared goals for sustainable growth and development.

After Russia’s invasion blocked some Black Sea ports, large quantities of Ukrainian grain, which is cheaper than that produced in the European Union, ended up staying in Central European states due to logistical bottlenecks, hitting prices and sales for local farmers.

The issue has created a political problem for Poland’s ruling nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party in an election year as it has angered people in rural areas where support for PiS is usually high.

“We are aware of Poland and Hungary’s announcements regarding the ban on imports of grain and other agricultural products from Ukraine,” a spokesperson for the European Commission said in an emailed statement.

“In this context, it is important to underline that trade policy is of EU exclusive competence and, therefore, unilateral actions are not acceptable.”

“In such challenging times, it is crucial to coordinate and align all decisions within the EU,” the statement added.

Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller told state-run news agency PAP the government was in constant contact with the European Commission about the issue, and that the ban was possible due to a security clause.

Poland and Hungary have been embroiled in long-running conflicts with Brussels over issues including judicial independence, media freedoms and LGBT rights, and both have had funds withheld due to concerns over the rule of law.

Ukraine’s farm minister Mykola Solsky talked to Hungarian counterpart Istvan Nagy on Sunday and underlined that unilateral decisions were unacceptable, the Ukrainian farm ministry said in a statement. The two agreed to talk again soon, it said.

The ministry said on Saturday that the Polish ban contradicted existing bilateral agreements on exports, and called for talks to settle the issue.

Meanwhile, Bulgaria’s Agriculture Minister Yavor Gechev said the country was also considering a ban on Ukrainian grain imports, local agency BTA reported on Sunday.

Transit

The Polish ban, which came into effect on Saturday evening, will also apply to the transit of these products through the country, the development and technology minister said on Sunday.

“The ban is full, including the ban on transit through Poland,” Waldemar Buda wrote on Twitter, adding that talks would be held with Ukraine to create a system that ensures goods only pass through Poland and do not end up on the local market.

State-run Ukrinform news agency said Ukrainian and Polish ministers are due to meet on Monday in Poland and the transit arrangement would be the focus of the talks.

Poland’s Agriculture Minister Robert Telus was quoted as saying on Sunday that the ban was necessary to “open the eyes of the EU to the fact that further decisions are needed that will allow products from Ukraine to go deep into Europe, and not stay in Poland.”

The ban is due to last until June 30, the finance ministry said.

Ukraine normally exports most of its agricultural goods, especially grain, via its Black Sea ports, unblocked in July in line with an agreement between Ukraine, Turkey, Russia and the United Nations.

That accord is scheduled to expire on May 18 and Moscow indicated last week that it may not be extended unless the West removes obstacles to the export of Russian grain and fertiliser.

Around 3 million tonnes of grain left Ukraine every month via the Black Sea grain corridor while only up to 200,000 tonnes are moving to European ports through Polish territory, according to the Ukrainian ministry.

Solsky said at the weekend that 500,000 to 700,000 tonnes of various agricultural products cross the Polish border every month, including grain, vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, meat and other products.