The Kremlin has announced that it will not extend congratulations to Peter Madjar, the leader of Hungary’s opposition party Tisza, following his electoral victory. Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, characterized Hungary as an “unfriendly” nation due to its support for sanctions against Russia.
Peskov stated, “We do not send greetings to unfriendly countries,” underscoring the strained relations between the two nations. When asked if this meant that Moscow had previously maintained a cordial relationship solely with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, he confirmed that there had been a dialogue with Orbán.
Despite the lack of formal congratulations, Peskov expressed hope for the continuation of what he termed “pragmatic contacts” between Moscow and Budapest under the new leadership in Hungary. This statement follows recent disclosures about a conversation between Orbán and Russian President Vladimir Putin that took place in the autumn of 2025.
The revelations regarding the coordination between Budapest and Moscow have drawn criticism from European capitals that are supportive of Ukraine, with some officials describing the findings as alarming and potentially threatening to European security.
The Kremlin has decided not to congratulate Peter Madjar on his election win, citing Hungary's status as an unfriendly nation due to its sanctions against Russia. Despite this, there are indications of a desire for continued dialogue between Moscow and Budapest.