Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed Péter Magyar’s decisive victory in Hungary, describing it as “the victory of light over darkness” and expressing hope for a more pragmatic and friendly relationship with the country’s new government.
The remarks came amid a political shift in Budapest that Zelenskyy presented as a sharp break from what he characterised as the hostility of the previous pro-Russian regime under Viktor Orbán.
In Berlin, Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, also praised Magyar’s win and said it would have “implications for our support for Ukraine.”
Merz added that the scale of the result was striking, saying: “More Hungarians than ever before cast their votes. By an overwhelming majority, they voted not only to oust a government, but to oust an entire system.”
He also stressed the urgency of continued assistance to Kyiv. “Volodymyr Zelenskyy and I also discussed this. The funds for military support must now be disbursed quickly. Ukraine needs them urgently,” Merz said.
The comments underscore how closely the Hungarian result is being watched in European capitals, particularly in relation to support for Ukraine. Zelenskyy’s response suggests Kyiv sees an opportunity for a reset in relations after a period of tension with Budapest.
Magyar’s victory marks a major political change in Hungary and has already drawn international attention because of its possible consequences for the country’s stance on Ukraine and for broader European policy. The election outcome was presented by its supporters not simply as a change of leadership, but as a rejection of the system associated with Orbán.
For Zelenskyy, the prospect of a new government in Budapest opens the possibility of rebuilding ties on a more constructive basis. His language was notably hopeful, signalling that Ukraine would welcome cooperation if the new administration adopts a different approach from its predecessor.
At the same time, Merz’s remarks indicated that Germany is considering how the shift in Hungary may affect wider European efforts to back Ukraine militarily and politically. His emphasis on swift funding reflected the continuing pressure on allies to keep support moving.
The reaction in Berlin and Kyiv points to the wider regional significance of the Hungarian result. Beyond domestic politics, the outcome may reshape relationships inside the European Union at a moment when the war in Ukraine continues to dominate the continent’s security agenda.
As leaders in Europe assessed the implications, the tone from both Zelenskyy and Merz suggested that Magyar’s win is being seen not only as an electoral upset, but as a potentially important turning point in Hungary’s foreign policy direction.
