In Hungary, the number of those who claim that Russia’s attack on Ukraine is more of an aggression, and do not share the assumption that Russia is only defending itself, has increased again, according to the results of a study commissioned by a Hungarian newspaper. “Népszava” by the Publicus Institute, a study that is not representative of the adult population of Hungary, but is representative only in terms of age and education, Rador cites.

In February, 64% of respondents qualified the war in Ukraine as Russian aggression, and in April, only 56% of respondents shared the same opinion.

According to data for August, this seemingly obvious statement is supported by 63%. However, 19% of survey participants say that the war is more about defense on the part of Russia, and 17% could not or did not want to give an answer.

Among FIDESZ sympathizers, significantly fewer (46%) believe that Russia committed aggression than in the opposition camp (88%). Among people with higher education, the percentage of those who assess what happened as aggression is particularly high (80%), as is the overwhelming majority of Budapest residents (77%).

About a fifth (21%) of Hungarians are “very” afraid, and 27% are “a little” afraid that there is a war in the neighboring country.

On the other hand, 31% of the population are not interested in it, and 21% are concerned “to varying degrees”.

51% of those polled believe that it is unlikely that the war will spread to Hungary, and another 30% said that it is “quite unlikely”.

People’s opinion on this matter has changed only slightly since February.

Compared to data for February and April to August, this figure has decreased slightly, but there is still a high percentage of those who believe that nuclear weapons are unlikely to be used in war (74 percent).

The Publicus Institute poll also found that the vast majority fear (“a lot” – 53%, “a little” -19%) that the price of natural gas will continue to rise because of the war. However, there is a group whose percentage is equivalent to 13%, which does not consider such a possibility at all.

The number of those who expect Prime Minister Viktor Orban to condemn Russia more severely than now for the attack on Ukraine has increased (up to 48%).

34% of respondents do not have such an expectation, and 18% did not answer the question. Not surprisingly, far fewer FIDESZ supporters (15%) want to see a tougher stance by the prime minister than the opposition (88%).

In addition, more and more people are dissatisfied with the pro-Russian foreign policy promoted by the Orbán government before the war.

The percentage of dissatisfied and satisfied was exactly the same in February (46-46%), but in April the satisfied prevailed (56%), so today the trend is reversed: 50% are dissatisfied and only 40% are satisfied.

An even bigger change can be seen when respondents are asked: How satisfied are they with the government’s response to the war so far?

In February, 60% of respondents were satisfied, in April – 66%, but by August, the satisfied group decreased to 42%, and the dissatisfied group increased to 52%.

Although in August, compared to 23% in March, 30% were dissatisfied with the way the government takes care of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Hungary, on this issue the majority of the public (62%) has no problems with the Cabinet of Ministers.

A similar statement can be made in several other cases. In March, 86% agreed that Hungary does not support Ukraine with weapons, and 79% agreed that Hungary accepts all refugees who come here from Ukraine.

In these two issues, the percentage of those who agreed dropped to 79% and 68%, respectively. 64% of respondents agree that Hungary does not pass weapons to Ukraine through its territory.

In total, 23% believe that Hungary should have provided more aid to Ukraine, 48% believe that the level of aid is about sufficient, 12% say that it would be better if it were less, and 8% believe that help should have been done differently. and differently, not necessarily more or less (10% did not answer).

The percentage of those who believe that it is possible to maintain good political relations with the EU and Russia at the same time fell significantly – from 45% in April to 29% in August.

On the other hand, 56% of respondents believe that Hungary should choose where it wants to belong.

Also, 56% expect a long-term war, but also hope that other countries will not “get involved” in this armed conflict.

Since the beginning of the war, the opinion of 53% of the population about Putin has worsened, and about Russia and Viktor Orban – in percentages of 43-43%.

37% of respondents rate the European Union worse, 35% – the USA, 32% – Ukraine and 19% – NATO.

According to 70% of respondents, the evaluation of Hungary in Europe worsened after the start of the war, according to Nepsava, quoted by Rador.