**Hungary Spied on Ukraine, Not Russia, According to Whistleblower**
For years, Hungarian intelligence services have been focused on gathering information about Ukraine rather than sharing intel on Russia with Western allies. This shocking revelation comes from journalist Szabolcs Panyi, who cited NATO security officials as his sources.
The disclosure is particularly significant in light of the recent arrest of two alleged Hungarian spies in Ukraine. On May 9, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) detained two individuals believed to be working for Hungary’s military intelligence. These individuals were reportedly gathering information on Ukraine’s military protection and searching for vulnerabilities in ground and air defenses.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó dismissed the case as “propaganda that should be treated with caution.” However, Panyi’s statement raises serious questions about Hungary’s priorities when it comes to intelligence sharing with Western allies.
**A Shift in Priorities**
According to Panyi, NATO allies have noticed that Hungarian services share a large amount of information about Ukraine. This is in contrast to most countries, which focus on gathering and sharing intel about Russia during cooperation within the Western federal system. The journalist suggests that Hungary’s priorities may be driven by its own interests rather than a genuine concern for regional security.
Panyi also recalled a closed meeting of Hungary’s National Security Committee, which took place just one day before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. At this meeting, the Director of the Military National Security Service, János Béres, reportedly downplayed the likelihood of a comprehensive Russian attack and instead suggested that a military conflict limited to eastern Ukraine was more probable.
This assessment was proven incorrect when Russia launched its full-scale attack on Ukraine, including targeting the capital. The failure of Hungarian intelligence to predict this outcome raises questions about their professionalism and reliability.
**A Questionable Reputation**
Panyi cited a NATO officer who expressed doubts about the reliability of Hungarian intelligence, describing their materials as “interesting” but raising concerns about their accuracy. This skepticism is echoed by the journalist himself, who suggests that Hungary’s focus on spying on Ukraine may be driven by its own interests rather than a genuine concern for regional security.
The revelation that Hungary has been prioritizing espionage on Ukraine over sharing intel on Russia raises serious questions about Budapest’s priorities and reliability as an ally in the region. As the world grapples with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, it is essential to understand the motivations and actions of key players like Hungary.
