Orbán Declares Ukraine 'Not Sovereign' Amidst Drone Dispute with Kyiv

Hungarian Prime Minister Questions Ukraine's Sovereignty

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated on Monday, September 29, 2025, that Ukraine is 'not a sovereign country,' further intensifying a diplomatic dispute with Kyiv. Orbán made these comments during an interview on a right-wing podcast, where he also downplayed allegations of Hungarian reconnaissance drones violating Ukrainian airspace. He argued that Ukraine is largely financed by the West and therefore 'should not behave as if it were sovereign.'

Allegations of Airspace Violation and Official Responses

The Hungarian Prime Minister's remarks came in response to accusations made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, September 26, 2025. Zelenskyy reported that reconnaissance drones, believed to be Hungarian, had violated Ukraine's airspace over the western Transcarpathia region. He suggested these drones might have been 'conducting reconnaissance on the industrial potential of Ukraine's border areas.'

Initially, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó rejected these accusations, stating that Zelenskyy was 'losing his mind' or 'seeing ghosts.' However, Orbán's subsequent comments appeared to acknowledge the possibility of such incursions, albeit downplaying their significance. He was quoted saying, 'I believe my ministers, but let's say it would have actually flown a few metres there, so what?'

In response to Orbán's statements, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized the Hungarian leader, asserting that he 'remains intoxicated by Russian propaganda.' Sybiha also highlighted that Orbán's admission contradicted Szijjártó's earlier denials and shared a map purportedly showing the drone's route.

Escalating Tensions and Broader Context

The latest exchange marks a significant escalation in already strained relations between Hungary and Ukraine. Orbán has consistently maintained cordial relations with Russia, a stance that contrasts sharply with most NATO and European Union leaders. He has frequently questioned the logic of Western military aid to Kyiv and has been known to block sanctions and aid packages for Ukraine, as well as hindering its efforts to join the EU.

Further exacerbating tensions, Hungary announced on Monday that it was blocking access to 12 Ukrainian news sites. This move followed a similar action by Kyiv earlier in the month, which saw several websites deemed to have pro-Russian views blocked, including eight Hungarian-language portals.