After the victory of the Tisza party led by the newly elected Prime Minister of Hungary Peter Madyar, the majority of Hungarians expect an improvement in relations between Budapest and Kiev, but only a small part of citizens approve of support for Ukraine, in particular military support. The Guardian reported this on May 7, citing a survey commissioned by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).
According to the survey, 64% of respondents expect the Madyar government to improve relations with Kiev. At the same time, support for assistance to Ukraine remains significantly lower: only 24% of respondents support providing financial assistance, and 12% support military assistance. Also, more than half of Hungarians reject the possibility of Ukraine joining the European Union in the future.
The survey also showed that 52% of respondents are against stopping imports of Russian energy resources. Among Tisa voters, support for such a step decreased after the elections: now slightly less than half support the rejection of Russian energy resources, and 38% are against it. The Guardian notes that it is the support of Ukraine and Budapest’s energy dependence on Russia that remain among the main issues in Hungary’s relations with the European Union.
ECFR senior fellow Pavel Zerka said Magyar's victory was more a vote for internal change than a sharp geopolitical reversal.
“While Hungarians are ready to turn the page on years of corruption and isolation, they have drawn clear red lines around their country's energy independence and national security – realities that leaders in Brussels must respect,” he said.
The Hungarian survey was conducted by Stratega Research and Mandate Research during April 17–27, 2026, commissioned by the ECFR. 1001 citizens of the country over the age of 18 took part in it.
