Photo by Jacob Thorson on Unsplash
Europe, a continent that has endured centuries of war, change, and struggles for peace, now faces challenges that seem eerily familiar. These challenges come from ideologies disregarding democratic principles, aligning with authoritarianism, and seeking to revive imperialistic narratives. The greatest threat to Europe today is not just external forces but also internal disinformation, which undermines unity and fosters hostility towards countries like Ukraine, striving to preserve their independence.
Surprisingly, imperialist ideologies that might seem different at first glance turn out to be quite similar. Russia and Hungary, countries with distinct histories, employ remarkably similar strategies in expanding their influence in Eastern Europe. While their approaches differ, both regimes share a common goal: to revive imperial ambitions and justify them by distorting reality.
Russia uses its military and informational dominance to convince the world of its rightfulness, defending annexation and aggression with historical rights and the protection of ethnic minorities. Hungary, meanwhile, continues to foster narratives that help resurrect the idea of the Austro-Hungarian Hapsburg empire. Justifying territorial claims and dominance based on historical heritage is a mask for a desire to control neighbouring countries.
A clear instance of historical distortion can be found in the events of 1956, when the Hungarian uprising against Soviet domination broke out. Soviet troops brutally crushed the protests, employing tanks and heavy artillery, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Hungarians, including students and civilians, who had demanded political freedom and reform. Yet, today in Hungary there are narratives suggesting that not Soviet but Ukrainian forces were responsible for crushing the uprising. This is a clear example of how information manipulation in Eastern Europe, particularly in Hungary, is fostering anti-Ukrainian sentiments.
Russia actively supports these narratives, attempting to create an image of Ukraine as the aggressor. This is part of a broader strategy: sowing division among countries to weaken their European development. The mixing of facts, distortion of history, and fabrication of new myths are at the core of this campaign. With fewer Hungarians remembering the true events, disinformation is taking a dangerous toll on national identity and European stability.
The Hungarian government’s active support of disinformation campaigns on social media to discredit Ukraine is part of a broader political strategy. Politicians like Viktor Orbán use historical narratives to support imperial ambitions and stand against Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Orbán not only supports narratives that stoke hostility toward Ukraine but also attempts to shape international perceptions through political manipulation.
In particular, statements from Hungarian politician Máté Kocsis, claiming that Ukraine is waging a campaign to discredit the Hungarian prime minister and undermine his international reputation, illustrate how important information manipulation is in shaping political narratives. These narratives are used to create an image of an enemy in the international community, particularly in Europe, which could lead to further isolation for Ukraine.
Europe must draw serious conclusions from the current situation and fight manipulation and disinformation to preserve national and European unity. Imperialist narratives, whether from Russia or Hungary, pose a significant threat to regional security.
Europe must support countries that stand for their independence and territorial integrity, such as Ukraine, and not allow disinformation campaigns and distorted historical narratives to weaken its unity. Allowing room for historical manipulation and imperial ambitions in modern Europe is a serious risk to the continent’s future. We must act now to protect our democratic values, ensure national security, and preserve stability in the region. The battle for historical truth, memory, and unity is one we must win to guarantee a safe and prosperous future for Europe.
