Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has clarified that Ukraine publicised the exposure of the Hungarian intelligence network operating in Zakarpattia Oblast to demonstrate that he was aware of their presence. 

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with the Hungarian publication Válasz Online, as reported by European Pravda

Details:Zelenskyy was asked whether he could envisage the de-escalation of tensions following the announcement by the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) about uncovering a Hungarian informant network in Zakarpattia.

He replied that "there is no problem if we respect each other."

Read also: Orbán seeks "war" between Hungary and Ukraine: why, and what are the dangers?

"Budapest has tried to interfere in Ukrainian internal affairs in dozens of different ways. You could not have heard about these. We stopped the illegal distribution of passports in Zakarpattia before the war. Most of the cases were dealt with quietly, among ourselves," the president said.

"Why did we make the current case public? We have additional photos and videos of various meetings organised by the Hungarian Military National Security Service (KNBSZ) on Hungarian territory, which we will also publish if necessary. I don’t want to threaten anyone, but we do have everything in our possession. This includes how KNBSZ paid its intelligence asset. We have documented everything," Zelenskyy said.

He noted that the exposed agent network had been in operation since 2021, with the most recent information transfer taking place on 25 March 2025.

Zelenskyy posed rhetorical questions about why Hungarian intelligence might need details on Ukrainian air defence locations, military units and local sentiment regarding potential Hungarian "peacekeepers".

"How should we respond to this in times of war? I am not saying that Budapest wants something, but if it does not, then to whom is it gathering information? I asked NATO officials whether they had asked the Hungarians to collect data on such matters. They replied that they had not. I am the president of a country at war – how would you have reacted if you were in my place?" Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, adding that he does not blame Viktor Orbán, but rather the KNBSZ.

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