U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated during a press conference in Budapest on April 7, which he held alongside Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, that according to recent reports from American intelligence, Ukraine allegedly may have been involved in interfering with elections in the U.S. by supporting the Democratic Party.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Statements on the Activities of Ukrainian Intelligence
Vance also emphasized that, based on available information, Ukrainian intelligence considers the territory of Hungary as one of its operational zones. He highlighted:
“It has also become known that Ukrainian intelligence views Hungary as an operational zone. What political motivation could be behind Ukraine’s attacks on conservative patriotic political forces both in the United States and in Hungary?” – Vance asked.
In further comments, he noted that among the staff of Ukrainian special services, there are individuals who have attempted to influence not only American but also Hungarian elections. According to Vance, among them are those who interfere in political processes and those who advocate for respect for state sovereignty.
U.S. Position and Ukraine’s Reaction
The U.S. Vice President expressed surprise at accusations against the U.S. President regarding pro-Russian views, emphasizing that his administration has done more to ensure Europe’s energy resources than any other country in the world. Vance noted that such actions contribute to reducing energy dependence on Russia and help U.S. allies implement consumer-friendly policies.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly stressed that Ukraine has never interfered and will not interfere in the electoral processes in the U.S. The Ukrainian authorities emphasize the importance of bipartisan support from the United States.
During the 2024 election campaign, visits by Ukrainian officials to the U.S., including visits to businesses, have sometimes been interpreted by some representatives of the Republican Party as “interference.” In turn, Ukrainian diplomats and experts consider this a typical component of election rhetoric in the U.S.
Vance visited Hungary to demonstrate the support of President Donald Trump’s administration to his ally, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for April 12.
U.S. President Donald Trump had previously publicly expressed full support for Orbán ahead of the elections, while the Hungarian Prime Minister has repeatedly criticized the European political establishment, positioning himself as an ally of the American president. At the same time, tensions between Budapest and the EU leadership have recently intensified.
Hungary is blocking the provision of an agreed loan to Ukraine amounting to 90 billion euros and is not agreeing to implement a new, 20th package of sanctions against Russia. The Ukrainian authorities and some European politicians accuse Orbán of a pro-Russian stance.
The parliamentary elections in Hungary are scheduled for April 12. Despite polling data showing a certain advantage for the opposition over Orbán’s party, accurate predictions regarding the voting results are currently unavailable.