Ukraine is the “enemy” of Hungary, says Viktor Orban. Virulent speech of the prime minister from Budapest

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized Ukraine during a speech at a campaign event in Szombathely on Saturday and reiterated Budapest's opposition to Kiev's aspirations to join the European Union, regional publication Index reported.

Speaking at a campaign rally in western Hungary, Viktor Orban criticized Ukraine for asking the European Union to stop Russian energy imports, The Kyiv Independent wrote.

“Anyone who says that is an enemy of Hungary, so Ukraine is our enemy,” the Hungarian prime minister said.

This month, Hungary announced that it had asked the EU Court of Justice to overturn the European ban on Russian gas imports.

At the Szombathely rally, Viktor Orban also criticized Kiev's desire to join the EU, insisting that Ukraine should never be granted membership of the bloc.

“Hungarians should not want economic or military cooperation with Ukrainians, because they are dragging us into war,” he said.

A major challenge for Viktor Orban and Fidesz

Parliamentary elections on April 12 represent a major challenge for Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose Fidesz party has been in power since 2010.

Independent polls put the opposition party led by Peter Magyar, a former government close-turned-adversary, in first place. Hungary's economy is stagnating, and there is growing dissatisfaction with public services in the country, among other key issues, according to AFP.

Tisza, the party led by Peter Magyar, launched its 240-page electoral program on Saturday, with which it wants to win the parliamentary elections, Reuters reported.