
National Security Service identifies more Ukrainian spies
Máté Kocsis, ruling Fidesz's parliamentary group leader, said the National Security Service have identified more Ukrainian spies, including Roland Tseber as an 'illegal' officer of the Ukrainian intelligence service, and István Holló, who is under investigation by the National Office of Investigation on suspicion of espionage activities.
After a meeting of the national security committee on Tuesday, Kocsis told a press conference that Tseber, as an 'illegal' officer, had probably been actively building relations with members of the Hungarian opposition for a long time. Kocsis added that Tseber had met several leading politicians and senior officials of parliamentary parties as part of his activities in Hungary.
In the meantime, Holló's activities in Hungary involved active intelligence activities to learn about Hungary's army and energy systems in cooperation with Ukrainian military intelligence, Kocsis said.
He added that Tseber was earlier a dual Ukrainian-Hungarian citizen, but he returned his Hungarian citizenship in 2017. He has built a political career in Ukraine, including as a representative of the Transcarpathian County Council, Kocsis said. Tseber had been on the radar of the Hungarian national security authorities for years, and he was banned from entering and staying in Hungary due to his intensifying activities in 2024, he added.
Holló, who had also been on the radar of Hungarian counterintelligence for a long time, is a Ukrainian citizen who had never held Hungarian citizenship, Kocsis said. He has been involved in activities to influence Hungary's international reputation in a negative way and aimed to make the Hungarian government change its position concerning Ukraine with the help of external pressure, he added.
In response to a question about the transparency law, Kocsis said the aim was to prevent, for instance, the disinformation campaigns that are currently underway from Ukraine, and to protect the Hungarian public space from foreign secret services and foreign state interests.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Budapest Times
7 hours ago
- Budapest Times
Orbán: The most important thing is the human being who stands firm when others would retreat
Speaking at their swearing-in ceremony at the National University of Public Services, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán highlighted the profound weight of their commitment, linking their personal sacrifice to the defense of the nation and the preservation of order. 'With your oath today,' he told them, 'you are taking up your post in a historical chain of defenders. You are becoming our partners in a shared mission.' In his address, Prime Minister Orbán emphasized that the Hungarian Constitution is not only the legal foundation of the state but a unifying source of purpose: 'It gives support, direction, and meaning to our struggles at home and in the world.' Echoing the Constitution's call for 'a good life, safety, order, justice, and freedom,' he stressed that these values are not self-sustaining: 'Order does not arise by itself. It must always be created, and then defended.' Against the backdrop of war in Ukraine and the Middle East, mass migration, terrorism, and growing cyber threats, the prime minister warned that 'civilized life itself' is now at stake. In this context, he elevated the role of Hungary's law enforcement and defense personnel as guardians not just of laws, but of national resilience. 'The most important thing is the human being — the officer, the firefighter, the prison guard — who puts their name and face to the rule of law. Who does not flee from danger, but stands firm when others would retreat.' Prime Minister Orbán made clear that Hungary's path is one of active defense: 'Hungary will not be swept along by events. We protect our citizens. This is not only a fact, but also a strict command of the Constitution.' He also addressed the new officers personally, framing their oath as both a privilege and a burden. 'This is not only the beginning of a career, but a serious moral commitment. The oath you have taken today is proof and assurance to every Hungarian that you are fit to serve and worthy of our trust.' Special thanks were given to the families of the new officers — 'those who gave the encouragement, patience, love… everything that makes life, work, and sacrifice worthwhile.' In closing, Prime Minister Orbán urged the young officers to be steady lights across all of Hungary: 'You are needed everywhere — from the dimmest corners to where temptation is greatest.' With Hungary's tricolor — 'red for strength, white for loyalty, green for hope' — he sent the new officers on their way, underlining that the nation is proud of them and counting on them: 'May God bless us all. Hungary, above all else. Go Hungary, go Hungarians.'


Budapest Times
7 hours ago
- Budapest Times
FM: Ukraine is wrong to think that EU accession is possible without the backing of Hungarians
Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said Ukraine's foreign ministry is wrong to think that Ukraine can join the EU without the backing of EU citizens, including Hungarians. Minister Szijjártó said the Ukrainian foreign ministry claimed yesterday that Hungarians did not have the right to decide in respect of Ukraine's EU bid. He said, conversely, it was not in the gift of President Volodomyr Zelensky or his government to decide on the country's membership but EU citizens, including Hungarians. He added that Hungary wanted no part in 'the accession of a country that brings the threat of war, risks our energy security and once almost brought ruin to our farmers'. While demanding the support of Hungarians, Ukraine had been 'systematically taking away minority rights from the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia' for the past ten years, he added.


Budapest Times
7 hours ago
- Budapest Times
95% of voters who took part in Vote 2025 referendum rejected Ukraine's EU accession
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that 95 percent of voters who took part in the government's Vote 2025 referendum rejected Ukraine's European Union accession. Speaking ahead of a summit of EU leaders, the prime minister said a total of 2,284,732 votes were cast, of which 2,168,431 opposed Ukraine's accession to the bloc. This means 95 percent were against giving Ukraine EU membership and 5 percent were in favour, he added. PM Orbán said he had arrived at the summit 'with a strong mandate'. 'I can speak with a firmer, manlier voice, because after all, I will be representing more than 2 million Hungarians at the talks when I say that Hungary is not in favour of Ukraine's EU accession,' he said. Asked if he believed it was possible that the other member states may ignore Hungary, with 25 or 26 of them adopting a statement in connection with Ukraine's EU membership, Orban said Hungary could not be ignored because a unanimous decision would be needed at the end of and during the accession process. But right now, he said, there was no consensus on Ukraine, and the EU could not approve a decision that had a legal effect on Ukraine's membership. 'There can be statements and discussions, but the European Union will not adopt a joint position because Hungary doesn't support it,' the prime minister said. 'But those that disagree with us … can say whatever they want because they have the freedom to do that here as well.' In response to another question, PM Orbán said that if the EU admitted Ukraine, it would also 'integrate the war', adding that 'we would not like to be together in one community with a country that is at war'. Meanwhile, he said, Hungary had received 'very good offers' in connection with the EU's 18th sanctions package, but 'there's a bit more work to do'. Asked about the trade war between the EU and the United States, Orban said he was 'rather pessimistic' because EU negotiators were outmatched by the 'heavyweight deal maker' that was the US president. Asked about migration, the prime minister said 'the Hungarian position is rebellion.' He said European leaders had 'discussed 100 times' how to make migration regulations more effective, 'and nothing happens'. The only solution, he added, was to adopt the policy that has been implemented in Hungary, where those who do not receive permission from the Hungarian authorities are denied entry. 'So what I suggest to all my colleagues: rebellion, rebellion, rebellion — that's what Hungarians do,' PM Orbán said, noting that Hungary had to pay a daily fine of 1 million euros because it had stopped migrants. 'This is the price of rebellion,' he added. Asked whether the authorities should disperse crowds at the Budapest Pride parade to enforce the law banning the event, PM Orbán said Hungary was a 'civilised country where everyone has the constitutional right to assembly and to express their opinion'. He added, at the same time, that 'when constitutional rights clash, no right can supersede the right to child protection' because the constitution declared that this right took precedence over all other freedoms. 'We ask everyone not to do such a thing, but if someone does, there's a clear system of laws that has to be enforced in such a case,' he said, emphasising that 'Hungary is a civilised country where we don't hurt each other.' 'This is a country that hasn't ever had a civil war — perhaps a little bit in 1956 — so even if we disagree with each other, we don't hurt each other,' he said. 'This isn't part of Hungarian politics.' Asked what he would say if one of his five children wanted to attend Budapest Pride, PM Orbán said they are all adults so they all make their own choices.