Hungary Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Moscow’s Election Playbook: Russian Political Technologists and Hungary’s 2026 Vote

The Kremlin is openly assisting Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party in its election campaign, effectively turning the April parliamentary elections into a vote on whether the country will move closer to the European Union or…

March 17, 2026ASP, Hungary, Russia

Corruption Democracy

Detention of Ukrainian Bank Workers in Hungary: Legal Implications, Political Context, and Ukraine’s Possible Response

In March 2026 Hungarian authorities detained seven employees of Ukraine’s state-owned Oschadbank and seized a shipment of approximately $82 million in cash, €35 million, and 9 kilograms of gold that was being…

March 11, 2026EU, Hungary, Ukraine

Governance

Orbán’s Kremlin Connection: Russia’s Role in Hungary’s Pre-Election Narrative

While the Hungarian opposition accuses the ruling party Fidesz of using foreign policy scandals to distract public attention from the collapse of municipal services and mounting domestic problems, Viktor Orbán continues to strengthen his…

March 5, 2026Hungary, Russia

Corruption Energy Geopolitics

Energy Infrastructure, Disinformation, and Alliance Risk in Europe

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, following a meeting of the National Defence Council, stated that Ukraine allegedly “plans new actions” aimed at damaging Hungary’s energy system, in addition to the…

February 26, 2026Hungary, Russia, Ukraine

Democracy Geopolitics Governance Propaganda and Disinformation

Budapest Beyond Its Borders: Hungary’s Expanding Influence Among the Csángó Minority in Romania

The Hungarian government is actively investing state funds in the development of the Csángó Hungarian ethnic group located in eastern Romania, within the Romanian region of Moldavia. Official Budapest supports the Csángó…

February 18, 2026Hungary, Romania

Geoeconomics Geopolitics Governance

Analysis: Why Viktor Orbán Is Framing the EU as a Greater Threat Than Russia — and What It Means

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has escalated his anti-EU rhetoric by claiming that Hungary should fear the European Union more than Russia, dismissing concerns about Vladimir Putin as “primitive and unserious.” He has portrayed upcoming parliamentary elections…

February 16, 2026EU, Hungary

Corruption Democracy Economy

Hungary at the Bottom: Corruption, Rule-of-Law Failure, and the EU’s Most Persistent Governance Crisis”

In 2025, Hungary once again found itself at the bottom of the European Union rankings and was recognized as the most corrupt EU member state, sharing last place with Bulgaria.Media outlets…

February 11, 2026Hungary

Corruption Geoeconomics National Security

Paks II: Engineering Red Flags and the Political Economy of Nuclear Risk in Central Europe

The ceremonial launch of the first concrete pour for Unit 5 of the Paks II Nuclear Power Plant was staged with great pomp and, according to the plan of Prime Minister Viktor…

February 7, 2026Hungary, Rosatom

Democracy Governance

Hungary at War Without Troops: Viktor Orbán’s Alignment With Russia and the Hybrid Assault on Europe

Despite Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s repeated attempts to cloak his parliamentary pre-election campaign, scheduled for April, in pacifist rhetoric, it is increasingly difficult to sustain the claim that Hungary remains…

January 27, 2026Hungary, Ukraine

- Governance Propaganda and Disinformation

Orbán’s Nuclear Fear Campaign: How Budapest Turns EU Safety Guidance Into a Political Weapon

Viktor Orbán continues his political war with Brussels. Viktor Orbán’s government has responded irresponsibly to security recommendations for all European Union citizens developed in the European Parliament by politicians from…

January 22, 2026Hungary

Hungary