Putin humiliated as Hungary makes huge new decision on Ukraine | World | News
Vladimir Putin has been dealt another major blow by one of his closest ally countries in the wake of Viktor Orbán’s catastrophic loss in Sunday’s Hungarian election. Following the result, which saw Mr Orbán’s 16-year rule ended by 45-year-old ex-party insider and centre-right Péter Magyar, Hungarian troops deployed to guard critical infrastructure facilities against the so-called “Ukrainian threat” have been withdrawn.
During his election campaign, Mr Orbán suggested that Ukraine could strike Hungarian energy systems, amid what he claimed was the blocking of the resumption of oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline, and deployed 600 troops to protect them. However, since then, the order to withdraw the troops was given by Gábor Böröndi, Chief of Defence Staff of the Hungarian Defence Forces.
“The Hungarian Defence Forces have begun to rationalise the number of service personnel involved in reinforcing the protection of infrastructure and energy facilities,” it said.
“Therefore, from 15 April 2026, the Hungarian Defence Forces will gradually reduce the number of deployed forces and withdraw troops from locations where the Ministry of Energy no longer considers military reinforcement necessary.”
The General Staff added that critical infrastructure operators have, in the meantime, reviewed and adjusted their security measures and strengthened the protection of their own facilities.
Serbia also deployed armed forces to guard the infrastructure that ensures the transit of gas to Hungary. The authorities also reported an attempted act of sabotage on a gas pipeline. However, Đuro Jovanić, Director of Serbia’s Military Security Agency, reported that Serbian authorities found no evidence of a “Ukrainian connection”.
Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, also hinted that Ukraine may be implicated in the foiled sabotage, a claim Kyiv categorically rejected, instead suggesting a Russian hand as part of Moscow’s interference in the Hungarian election in Mr Orbán’s favour.
Hungarian parliamentary elections were held on April 12 to elect all 199 members of its National Assembly. The opposition Tisza Party, led by Mr Magyar, won the election in a landslide, defeating Mr Orbán’s incumbent Fidesz–KDNP government with a two-thirds supermajority. Mr Magyar’s victory has been described as a win for the EU and a loss for Russia and the Trump administration.
Under Mr Orbán, Hungary positioned itself as Russia‘s most supportive ally within the European Union and NATO. Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, this relationship became more pronounced, with Budapest frequently opposing EU sanctions and support for Kyiv. While other European leaders severed ties, Mr Orbán maintained direct, high-level contacts with Putin, with reports suggesting he offered assistance in navigating sanctions.
