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Ukraine funding smear campaign against PM Orban, Hungarian intelligence reveals

In his words, "the Ukrainians have already begun work to collect information and fabricate news."

BUDAPEST, February 4. /TASS/. Hungarian intelligence services have learned that Ukraine is spending big money on an international smear campaign against Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, said Mate Kocsis, the leader of the ruling Fidesz parliamentary faction.

"During today’s session of the [Hungarian parliament’s] national security committee, special services informed us that, according to their information, Ukraine has launched a smear campaign against the prime minister of Hungary with the goal of undermining his international credibility so as to make it harder for Hungary to defend its interests," Kocsis wrote on Facebook (banned in Russia due to its ownership by Meta, which is recognized by Russia as extremist).

"The campaign involves domestic and foreign journalists, and aims to plant articles and reports—even false ones—that could negatively influence global public opinion. Ukraine has allocated a substantial sum for the purpose," the lawmaker said.

In his words, "the Ukrainians have already begun work to collect information and fabricate news." The effort includes some of Hungary’s opposition-minded media outlets, he said.

"Some journalists, who claim to be objective, are now ready to sell their country for Ukrainian money," Kocsis added.

On many occasions, the Kiev government openly criticized Orban’s stance on the Ukrainian crisis. Unlike most of its EU partners, Hungary has consistently refused to deliver weapons to Kiev, called for a diplomatic solution and urged the United States and the European Union to negotiate with Russia.