Shortly after the start of the World Cup, Orban caused a scandal at home with a “Greater Hungary” football scarf

Created: 11/22/2022, 4:28 p.m

By: Bedrettin Bölükbasi

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban wears a Greater Hungary scarf.

© Screenshot/Instagram/@orbanviktor

Hungary's Prime Minister Orban shares a video of his meeting with a soccer player on Instagram while the World Cup is underway.

The scarf he's wearing is causing a stir.

Munich — Hungary is not at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

But that doesn't stop Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban from posting about football anyway.

He shared a video of his meeting with ex-national player and Debreceni VSC striker Balázs Dzsudzsák on Instagram.

But what primarily causes political uproar: the scarf that he apparently proudly wears around his neck at his meeting.

The borders of “Greater Hungary” are depicted on it, which include the territories of several neighboring countries.

Ukraine has already responded to the video.

Orban's football scarf causes a stir during the World Cup - Hungarian Prime Minister shows "Greater Hungary"

The Instagram video shows Orban Dzsudzsák greeting, hugging and happily accepting his jersey.

"Long live the elected top scorer!

Thanks for everything, Balázs!” reads the description below the video.

However, the photos are only a minor matter, because the real attention is on his scarf, on which the "Greater Hungary" map can be seen.

Its borders include areas of Slovakia, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Romania and Ukraine.

Ukraine reacts to Orban's scarf - "does not contribute to the development of Ukrainian-Hungarian relations"

The campaign was not well received at all, especially in Ukraine, which is currently defending itself against Vladimir Putin and has to fear for its territory.

Immediately after the publication, the Hungarian ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry.

Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko commented on the incident on Facebook.

"Promoting revisionist ideas does not contribute to the development of Ukrainian-Hungarian relations and does not correspond to the principles of European politics," said Nikolenko.

An "official apology" is expected from the Hungarian side, the Ukrainian official said.

The relationship between Ukraine and Hungary is already tense due to the Ukraine war.

Orban's government maintains close ties with the Kremlin and does not want to join sanctions against Moscow.

Orban recently stated that his country does not want to support an EU aid package for Ukraine.