The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has called for an immediate response from Hungary regarding the status of two soldiers, who hold both Ukrainian and Hungarian citizenship, recently released from Russian captivity. Ukrainian officials are seeking confirmation that these individuals will have complete freedom in choosing their residence and future plans.
This request follows a conversation with the acting Hungarian chargé d’affaires in Kyiv, where Ukrainian representatives emphasized the inappropriateness of politicizing sensitive issues related to the transfer of Ukrainian prisoners of war to Hungary without prior notification or coordination with Kyiv.
“The Ukrainian side reiterated the need to ensure that the returned servicemen can contact Ukrainian consular officials for health checks, consular assistance, and to guarantee their ability to determine their future without external pressure or coercion,” the ministry stated.
Ukrainian officials expect a prompt reply from Hungary, affirming the soldiers’ rights to make their own decisions regarding their living arrangements and future.
Prior to this, Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed frustration in a video statement on social media, criticizing Kyiv for summoning the Hungarian diplomat. He claimed that the Ukrainian government had created a scandal over the rescue of two individuals.
“Let this be a clear signal to Ukrainians: leave the Hungarians alone. Let those people, whom you forcibly took to war and whom we rescued, be. You have no connection to them,” he remarked.
He further stated that Budapest would continue to assist any Hungarian citizens in distress and would strive to keep Hungary out of the ongoing conflict.
Background
On March 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced during a meeting with the Hungarian minister in Moscow that two servicemen, who fought in the Ukrainian military and hold dual citizenship, would be released at Hungary’s request. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry responded, noting that they had not been informed about these individuals and would invite the Hungarian chargé d’affaires for more accurate information. They also pointed out that Moscow and Budapest have previously manipulated sensitive issues regarding prisoners of war.
On March 5, the Hungarian foreign minister confirmed the arrival of the two soldiers in Hungary and shared photographs. He asserted that his pragmatic foreign policy over the past 11 years had led to the unconditional return of these prisoners.
The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War condemned the transfer of Ukrainian citizens to Hungary as a Russian provocation, reminding that in 2023 alone, 11 Ukrainians had been sent to Budapest from Russian captivity without coordination with Kyiv.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry is pressing Hungary for confirmation regarding the rights of two soldiers recently freed from Russian captivity. The situation has sparked diplomatic tensions, with Hungary's foreign minister criticizing Ukraine's response to the rescue of the servicemen.