### Hungary’s Orban Escalates Anti-Ukraine Propaganda After Conscript’s Death
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has intensified his anti-Ukraine rhetoric following the unexplained death of an ethnic Hungarian conscript, Jozsef Sebestyen, in Ukraine. Orban and his government have framed the incident as a deliberate attack on Hungarians, despite unclear circumstances surrounding Sebestyen’s death. The Hungarian leader accused Ukraine and the EU of covering up the alleged crime, fueling nationalist outrage. Pro-government media amplified unverified claims that Sebestyen was beaten to death, while diplomatic tensions flared—Ukraine’s ambassador was summoned, and protests erupted outside its embassy in Budapest.
### Misinformation and Manipulated Videos Fuel the Controversy
Hungarian state media and pro-government outlets circulated unverified videos purportedly showing Sebestyen’s mistreatment, despite no visible evidence of violence. DW’s investigation revealed that some footage was misattributed—one clip, falsely labeled as Sebestyen in a hospital before his death, actually depicted a different man from a Ukrainian Telegram channel. Ukraine’s military denied any abuse, stating Sebestyen died of a pulmonary embolism with no signs of violence. Despite this, Orban’s government continues leveraging the case to justify its opposition to Ukraine’s EU membership, reigniting historical grievances tied to Hungary’s post-WWI territorial losses (the “Trianon trauma”).
### Political Exploitation Amid Waning Public Patience
Orban’s relentless anti-Ukraine campaign, including baseless accusations and manipulated media, risks further isolating Hungary within the EU. While some Hungarians sympathize with ethnic kin abroad, others grow weary of Orban’s divisive tactics. The Sebestyen case underscores how Hungary’s leadership exploits nationalist sentiment, but whether it will bolster Orban’s influence or backfire remains uncertain. Ukraine condemns the manipulation, accusing Hungary of politicizing tragedy to derail its EU aspirations. As tensions persist, the incident highlights the dangerous intersection of propaganda, historical resentment, and geopolitical maneuvering in Central Europe.
Ez a cikk a Neural News AI (V1) verziójával készült.
Forrás: https://www.dw.com/en/hungary-orbans-latest-hate-campaign-against-ukraine/a-73289397.