EditHungary bans leading Ukrainian media as bilateral conflict escalates
Hungarian internet providers have blocked access to leading Ukrainian media, including EUalive's partner European Pravda
Hungarian internet providers have blocked access to several leading Ukrainian news portals. The move came after Ukraine, in mid-September, banned several foreign outlets, including Hungary’s “Origo” and “Demokrata”, arguing that they regularly disseminate Russian propaganda.
By Tuesday morning, Hungarian users reported restrictions on several Ukrainian sites, though the lists varied between providers. Fixed-line operators began shutting down access on Monday evening, with mobile providers joining in the following morning. Among other media affected, the government’s action cut off EUalive’s partner “European Pravda” (eurointegration.com.ua).
The decision was announced by Gergely Gulyás, Chief of Staff of the Hungarian Prime Minister’s Office, who argued that Hungary was simply responding to Kyiv’s “unfounded attack” on Hungarian outlets. In a statement on Facebook, Gulyás dismissed the popularity of Ukrainian news sites in Hungary but insisted that “a sovereign country must give a proportionate response.” He listed over a dozen affected portals: tsn.ua, oboz.ua, anons-zak.com.ua, ungvar.uz.ua, zakarpattya.net.ua, pravda.com.ua, hromadske.ua, nv.ua, lb.ua, insiderinfo.com.ua, uaonline.com.ua, eurointegration.com.ua.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry strongly criticised the Hungarian ban, saying it was disproportionate, compared to Kyiv’s earlier actions. While Ukraine had targeted Hungarian outlets for allegedly promoting Russian disinformation, Budapest, it argued, was instead cutting its citizens off from “fact-based journalism.”
Ukraine’s foreign ministry spokesman Georgiy Tykhyi stressed that Hungary’s decision served political purposes rather than protecting the public sphere: “The difference is that Ukraine blocks Russian propaganda, while Orban’s government blocks Hungarians’ access to fact-based journalism. But for them, the further from the truth, the better.”
The episode adds a new layer of tension to already strained relations between the two neighbours. Hungary, under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has maintained a pro-Russia stance, delaying EU sanctions, blocking military aid to Ukraine, and criticizing Kyiv’s policies, notably over minority rights for the Hungarian community in Ukraine’s Zakarpattia region. Disputes over language laws, which Ukraine implemented to promote its national language but which Hungary claims discriminate against its minority, have fueled bilateral friction, with Budapest accusing Kyiv of undermining Hungarian cultural identity. And more importantly, Budapest is currently blocking the opening of EU acession talks with Ukraine.
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The media blackout comes just months before Hungary national elections in April 2026, when Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is expected to face his toughest challenge in 15 years in power. Peter Magyar, a former insider from Orbán’s political circle who now leads a new opposition party, has gained momentum, raising the prospect of the first serious threat to Fidesz’s dominance since 2010.
Observers note that the timing of Hungary’s move may be politically significant. By taking a hard line against Ukraine, Orbán can appeal to nationalist voters while deflecting attention from domestic discontent over corruption and governance issues. At the same time, the government’s approach risks isolating Hungary further within the EU, where media freedom and rule-of-law concerns have already placed Budapest at odds with its partners.
Kyiv’s September ban on Hungarian outlets was presented as part of its broader strategy to protect the information space from external manipulation, a policy that resonates with many EU capitals.
Conversely, the Hungarian move is significant. The practical impact on Hungarian citizens may be limited, as Ukrainian portals do not attract large domestic audiences. However, by restricting access to reputable Ukrainian outlets, Budapest signals that its media policy is driven less by principles of free information and more by political calculus.
Caption: A handout photo made available by the Hungarian PM’s General Department of Communication shows Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban delivering a speech at the ‘Civic Picnic’ event organized by the Foundation for a Civic Hungary in Kotcse, Hungary, 07 September 2025. EPA/Zoltan Fischer HANDOUT
Updated: September 30, 2025 - 13:44
