Budapest is resuming and intensifying its campaign to demonise Ukraine. One of its tools is expected to be a "referendum" in Hungary. Its "results" will serve as informational weapons in 2024. The Hungarian Prime Minister claims to be fighting against Brussels, with Kyiv being a mere collateral victim.

Read more in the article by Sergiy Sydorenko, European Pravda editor – Veto Plans: What to Expect from Orbán on Ukraine in 2024.

The EU summit in Brussels brought an unconditional and truly significant diplomatic victory for Ukraine – the green light to open EU accession negotiations.

However, Orbán had to make a concession on an issue he himself had declared crucial.

Even government-controlled Hungarian media, such as the newspaper Magyar Nemzet, acknowledged what really happened, as Orbán broke his own promise and knowingly allowed negotiations to be opened for Ukraine's EU accession.

In the week before Christmas, Orbán filled the Hungarian media space with himself, explaining, convincing, reassuring voters that everything is under control.

Orbán acknowledged that the key role was played by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Other details of the agreement remain unknown.

But Orbán wouldn't be Orbán if he didn't turn his defeat to his advantage. His new course is strategically harmful to Ukraine.

Orbán initiated the so-called national consultation in November. This is an annual manipulative nationwide survey accompanied by a massive government information campaign telling Hungarians that only Orbán and his government care about their well-being, and it is always someone else who hinders Orbán from doing his job well.

In early November, they planned to make Ukraine the scapegoat of the year in Budapest. But they changed the focus very unexpectedly, moving the questions about "bad Ukraine" to the end of the survey, placing the emphasis on criticism of Brussels and the European Commission.

And now, when Orbán was forced to abandon the veto, he urgently reviewed his information strategy.

Orbán decided to launch an online voting option this year, sending an "electronic ballot" to everyone registered in government databases.

Even foreigners were invited to vote against Ukraine. For example, invitations were sent to Ukrainians who were vaccinated against COVID-19 in Hungary and left their personal data with the government. 

Even without an invitation, anyone can visit the government's website Nemzetikonzultacio and "help" Orbán gather votes. The Hungarian government is ready for and even encourages multiple voting!

Moreover, the Hungarian government is ready for and even encourages multiple voting!

One can only speculate about the extent of manipulation in this survey and how many votes will be "added". Orbán will in any case speak of hundreds of thousands and millions of Hungarian votes against EU enlargement and against supporting Ukraine.

Orbán is not inclined to normalise relations with Ukraine, but is interested in keeping them tense. There are grounds, however, for claiming that Orbán is not preparing for an uncompromising confrontation with Ukraine.

The good news is that Viktor Orbán has emphasised in several interviews in recent weeks that his agreement with EU leaders in Brussels, especially with Olaf Scholz, includes Hungary's agreement to refrain from vetoing all stages of the political launch of negotiations.

And Orbán will reserve his veto for a later stage.