Civil Organisations Hold Rally in Budapest to Mark Four Years Since Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
Budapest, Hungary — Civil society groups and supporters of Ukraine gathered in the Hungarian capital Budapest on Sunday, February 22, 2026, to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The event brought together around 200 demonstrators — including Ukrainian refugees, Hungarian activists and local politicians — who called for an end to the ongoing war and renewed diplomatic efforts toward peace in a conflict that has reshaped European security and caused immense human suffering.
The demonstration was organised primarily by civil organisations in Hungary and served both as a public show of solidarity with Ukraine and a critique of continuing aggression by Russia, which shows no signs of ending despite four years of fighting, international sanctions, and diplomatic efforts. Participants carried banners and signs demanding an end to the war and justice for victims of the conflict, as well as reminders of the human toll inflicted by more than four years of hostilities that have claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions.
Expressions of Solidarity and Support for Ukraine
Several Ukrainian refugees living in Hungary attended the rally and spoke to the media about their experiences, offering personal testimony that put human faces to the statistics of displacement. Many highlighted how they have been received in Hungary since fleeing the war, finding shelter and community in a country whose government has often taken positions at odds with Kyiv.
Despite political tensions between Budapest and Kyiv at the national level, individual Ukrainians emphasised that they have been welcomed warmly by ordinary Hungarians in towns near the border, in Budapest itself, and in other parts of the country. This grassroots hospitality has provided a lifeline for thousands who arrived with nothing but hope.
One Ukrainian woman, who has lived in Hungary for years, told reporters that refugees have felt safe and supported by Hungarian communities willing to open their homes and hearts. She stressed that public sentiment can be different from political discourse, noting that “Orbán and the Hungarian people are not the same” — alluding to the distinction between popular attitudes and the official stance of Hungary’s government, which has maintained closer ties to Moscow than many EU partners.
Joint Commemoration by City Council and Embassy
Alongside the civil society rallies, the Budapest City Council and the Embassy of Ukraine in Hungary held a formal commemoration in a park near City Hall, adding an official dimension to the day’s events. During this ceremony, Sándor Fegyir, Ukraine’s ambassador to Hungary, emphasised Russia’s repeated violations of international law and its commission of war crimes throughout the conflict, pointing to documented evidence of atrocities that have shocked the world.
He also warned against broader threats posed by Moscow to other European countries and to the collective security framework represented by NATO, arguing that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine could be a precursor to further expansionist moves if left unchecked. His remarks echoed concerns shared by many European leaders who see the war as an existential challenge to the post-Cold War security order.
The event aimed to be both a memorial to those who have suffered and a reminder of the ongoing nature of the conflict, which has reshaped security and political dynamics across Europe since it began, forcing nations to rethink defence spending, energy dependence, and alliance commitments.
According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) , Hungary is currently home to around 60,000 Ukrainian refugees, many of whom have arrived since the invasion expanded in February 2022. These refugees have integrated into Hungarian society to varying degrees, with children attending local schools and adults finding work where possible.
Political Reactions and Tensions
The rally also touched on domestic political fault lines within Hungary, reflecting the broader European debate over how to respond to the war. Gergely Karácsony, the mayor of Budapest, used the occasion to criticise the ruling Fidesz party and Hungary’s broader approach to the war, highlighting divisions that have characterised Hungarian politics throughout the conflict.
Karácsony argued that supporting Ukraine is not only a moral imperative but also a “national interest,” pointing to the importance of defending democratic values and a just peace in Europe that would ensure long-term stability. He accused Fidesz of running what he called a propaganda campaign that misrepresents Hungary’s obligations and interests, portraying support for Ukraine as somehow contrary to Hungarian sovereignty.
In response, Alexandra Szentkirályi, leader of the Fidesz group in Budapest’s local council, pushed back against Karácsony’s comments with equal vigour. She framed the mayor’s participation as misplaced given other priorities, including disputes over energy infrastructure and Hungary’s relationship with Ukraine that have created ongoing tensions between Budapest and Kyiv.
Szentkirályi referred to tensions over reopening an oil pipeline and alleged Hungarian conscripts being forced into Ukraine’s armed forces — a claim that aligns with narratives promoted by conservative Hungarian media critical of Kyiv and its treatment of ethnic Hungarian minorities in western Ukraine. These claims have been disputed by Ukrainian officials but continue to shape public discourse in Hungary.
Commemorative Exhibition in the City Centre
In addition to street demonstrations and formal speeches, an outdoor exhibition was set up at Madách Square in central Budapest to honour victims of the war and highlight the conflict’s impact on the most vulnerable. Titled “The Invisible Wounds of Ukrainian Childhood,” the exhibit featured drawings by children who have lost family members to the conflict, offering a poignant window into trauma expressed through art.
These artistic tributes underscored the long-lasting emotional and psychological impacts of war on the youngest generations, who have known nothing but conflict and displacement during their formative years. The drawings depicted scenes of loss, hope, and resilience, serving as powerful reminders of what is at stake in the war.
Visitors to the exhibition paused to view the children’s work, many visibly moved by the raw emotion expressed through simple drawings that conveyed complex feelings of grief and longing.
Broader Context of Anniversary Rallies in Europe
Budapest’s rally took place as other European cities also marked the four-year anniversary of the invasion, demonstrating that Ukraine’s cause remains alive in public consciousness despite war fatigue and competing crises. For example, similar demonstrations in support of Ukraine have been held in capitals such as Paris — where thousands marched with Ukrainian flags and called for continued European solidarity — and Prague, where hundreds gathered with political leaders to voice support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and future within the European community.
These rallies serve multiple purposes: they remind governments that public opinion supports continued assistance to Ukraine, they provide comfort to Ukrainian refugees far from home, and they demonstrate to Russia that European resolve has not collapsed despite the war’s duration.
The Refugee Experience in Hungary
For the approximately 60,000 Ukrainian refugees in Hungary, life continues in a kind of limbo. Some have found work and integrated into local communities, their children attending Hungarian schools and learning the language. Others wait, hoping to return home when conditions allow.
The welcome they have received from ordinary Hungarians has often been warm, creating bonds that transcend political differences. Churches, community organisations, and individual families have opened their doors, providing shelter, food, and companionship to those who fled with nothing.
Looking Ahead
As Russia’s invasion enters its fourth year, rallies like the one in Budapest highlight both the endurance of public support for Ukraine across Europe and the ongoing political debates within individual countries over how best to respond to the conflict and support lasting peace. The road ahead remains uncertain, with no clear end in sight to the fighting and diplomatic efforts stalled.
For the refugees who attended Sunday’s rally, the anniversary brought mixed emotions: gratitude for the welcome they have received, grief for what they have lost, and hope that one day they might return to a free and peaceful Ukraine.
Four years of war. Thousands of lives lost. Millions displaced. Budapest remembers.
