"Ploys with Orbán" accusations surface: The Kremlin's devious plan

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has accused former President Poroshenko of conspiring with Orbán on behalf of the Kremlin. Budapest swiftly responded to these claims, with the Hungarian government distancing itself from the allegations and suggesting they reflect Kyiv's lack of readiness for EU membership.

Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko had allegedly planned a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, which, according to the Security Service of Ukraine's Telegram channel, Russia intended to exploit as part of its psychological operations against Ukraine. The Hungarian government's spokesperson was quick to deny these allegations, arguing that they only highlight Kyiv's unsuitability for EU membership.

Next, the former President of Ukraine and leader of the opposition party European Solidarity, Petro Poroshenko, confirmed on Friday that he had not been granted permission to leave the country by the border services.

The politician declared that this ban was illegal, citing that it was orchestrated by his adversary, current President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

On Saturday, via its Telegram channel, the SBU announced that it and Ukrainian intelligence services had "uncovered information about Russian special services preparing provocations against Ukraine on the international stage".

The alleged plan from the Kremlin intended to cause a "shift in opinion among anti-Russian coalition partner nations" and sought to have figures from Ukraine's political elite push for a narrative that stresses the necessity for negotiations with Russia predicated on a ceasefire.

The SBU claims that Poroshenko had plans to meet with Orbán – who "often voices an anti-Ukrainian viewpoint, is seen as a 'friend of Putin', and advocates for the lifting of sanctions against Russia". According to the SBU, "Russia planned to leverage this meeting, (as well as other 'business meetings' of Ukrainian politicians with representatives of countries that propagate pro-Russian narratives), for its information-psychological operation against Ukraine".

"Hungary does not aspire to have any part in the internal political conflicts of President Zelenskyy. Reports of this nature, and political purges, only further illustrate that Ukraine is not yet prepared for EU membership," - The Hungarian government's spokesperson, Zoltan Kovacs, wrote on portal X in response to the SBU's statement.

Under Ukrainian martial law, overseas travel, including for members of parliament, is only permitted based on official delegation directives.

Poroshenko disclosed his intentions to travel to Poland, where his planned discussions included resolving the border protest with Ukraine, and to the United States, where he wanted to discuss the funding of military aid for the war with Russia.

"My meeting with the new Speaker of the (American) House of Representatives, (Mike) Johnson, was canceled," - he stressed.