On March 5, two soldiers, possessing both Hungarian and Ukrainian citizenship and serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, arrived in Budapest after being released from Russian captivity. Their return was facilitated by diplomatic efforts involving Hungarian officials.
Hungary’s Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, shared photographs of the returning soldiers and expressed the emotional toll of the ongoing conflict. He stated, “Every day in war brings new deaths and suffering, and this clearly breaks the heart due to the human suffering caused by this war. We, Hungarians, must advocate for peace by all means, and our most important task is to never allow Hungary to be drawn into this neighboring war.”
During a press conference at Budapest Airport, Szijjártó confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin did not request anything in return for the soldiers. He emphasized that his pragmatic foreign policy over the past eleven years has led to the unconditional return of prisoners of war.
The release was initiated after one of the soldiers recorded a video message addressed to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, while the mother of the other soldier reached out to Hungarian authorities. Orbán had a conversation with Putin on March 3, during which he requested the release of the two captives.
Reports indicate that government communications and pro-government media have been focusing on the plight of ethnic Hungarians from Transcarpathia who have been captured by Russian forces. For instance, a segment on MTVA titled “Horrors of War” featured videos of Transcarpathian Hungarians expressing gratitude to their captors for their survival.
International law expert Tamás Hofmann, an associate professor at Corvinus University in Budapest, commented that the publication of such videos could be interpreted as a violation of international law, specifically the Geneva Conventions, which govern the treatment and legal status of prisoners of war.
On March 4, during a meeting with Szijjártó in Moscow, Putin announced that Russia would release the two soldiers at Hungary’s request. He stated, “I have decided to release the two prisoners of war, as requested by the Prime Minister, and they will accompany you on the plane that you arrived on and will return to Budapest with you.”
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated that they were not informed about these individuals and will invite the Hungarian chargé d’affaires for reliable information. The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War characterized the transfer of the two Ukrainian captives to Hungary as a “gross violation” of international humanitarian law, labeling it a “provocation by the Putin regime.”
The release of two soldiers with dual Hungarian and Ukrainian citizenship from Russian captivity highlights ongoing diplomatic efforts amid the conflict. Hungarian officials assert that their return was achieved without conditions from Russia, while Ukrainian authorities express concerns over the legality of the transfer.