Tensions Escalate as Hungary and Ukraine Clash Over Sovereignty and Drones

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban ignited a diplomatic firestorm on Monday, asserting that Ukraine is not a sovereign nation. The comments came as a retort to claims that Hungarian drones encroached on Ukrainian airspace, deepening a fractious row between Kyiv and Budapest.

Orban, speaking on a right-wing podcast, criticized Ukraine's focus on Hungarian reconnaissance activities. He argued that Ukraine should concentrate on its eastern border with Russia, questioning the nation's independence and reliance on Western support.

Reacting to Orban's remarks, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused him of succumbing to Russian propaganda. Diplomatic tensions escalated further as Hungary blocked access to 12 Ukrainian news sites, mirroring Kyiv's earlier action against Hungarian-language portals accused of pro-Russian bias.

(With inputs from agencies.)