Hungary’s foreign minister has said that the government will defend Transcarpathian Hungarians.
During a press conference in Budapest, Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, highlighted that Ukrainian state propaganda is conducting a campaign of lies against Hungary and the government will stand up for its people.
“It is a blatant and abject lie that when Hungary is protecting Transcarpathian Hungarians it is acting in accordance with Russia’s expectations,” the minister said. “Hungary is protecting the 150,000 Hungarians who live in Transcarpathia, but we have no need of third parties or guidance to do so,” he added.
The minister added that while the Ukrainians are suggesting to the international community in a deceitful manner that Hungary’s policy with relation to Transcarpathian Hungarians is being determined by a third party, “Hungarians who have been conscripted from Transcarpathia have also fought and continue to fight in the interests of Ukraine’s territorial integrity in the eastern part of the country,” he stressed.
The minister highlighted how the Ukrainian president has put before Parliament legislative proposals that would strip people with Hungarian citizenship of their Ukrainian citizenship.
“This is not only at odds with EU values and practice, it also contravenes international law,” he said.
“To then spread lies at the international level with relation to the fact that Hungary’s policy is being influenced by a third party is despicable and unacceptable,” he added.
The minister added that Ukraine has recently made several legislative and intimidating moves against the Transcarpathian Hungarians, has given nationalist fervor and parties free rein, and is threatening the Hungarians living in the country with further sanctions.
“Hungary has made it clear that it will only be returning to its policy of supporting Ukraine’s integration aspirations if Transcarpathian Hungarians are given back the acquired rights they have been stripped of and their remaining rights are not infringed upon,” he concluded.