Russia is using nationalist sentiments in Europe to quarrel Ukraine with its western neighbors.
This is stated in an analytical report of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Analysts recall that Hungarian politician and leader of the "Our Homeland Movement" party László Toroczkai said on January 27 that Hungary should claim for Transcarpathian Region of Ukraine if Russia wins the war. In addition, Romanian politician and leader of the "Union of Romanians" party Claudiu Târziu said on the same day that Romania should "reintegrate" Ukraine's neighboring territories with Romania.
Russian media interpreted the politicians' statements in their own way and emphasized Romania's and Hungary's claims to Ukraine's territory. Although earlier the idea of "dividing Ukraine" was promoted by Russia.
Back in December 2023, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and other Kremlin officials resumed spreading the narrative that Ukraine allegedly has historical disputes with Poland, Romania and Hungary.
ISW analysts noted that some of the nationalist European parties have paid attention to Russian concept of "Russian world" and it has gained popularity among the current right-wing politicians.
The analysts are convinced that Russian propagandists will try to use this issue to quarrel Ukraine with its neighbors in Europe.
Earlier "Apostrophe" reported that in December, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban vetoed the allocation of €50 billion to Ukraine as part of the EU's medium-term financing program.