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Hungary's FM: Ukraine is preparing to deal a “third blow” to its national minorities by imposing sanctions on dual citizens

Hungary’s foreign minister has highlighted how Ukraine is dealing yet another blow to minorities by introducing a law that would impose restrictions on dual citizens

Hungary’s foreign minister has highlighted how Ukraine is dealing yet another blow to minorities by introducing a law that would impose restrictions on dual citizens.

Péter Szijjártó said Ukraine is preparing to deal a “third blow” to its national minorities, with the president having called on parliament to approve in a priority procedure a law that would impose sanctions on dual citizens.

He said the Ukrainian government’s first blow against the country’s national minorities was an amendment to the education law, followed by declaring the language law unconstitutional and initiating its amendment.

The minister added that although the country aspires to become a NATO member state, the new legislation would declare dual citizens of Ukraine and a NATO country national security risks. “No Transcarpathian Hungarian can be considered a risk to Ukraine’s national security,” the minister said.

Minister Szijjártó said Ukraine was taking action against its national minorities “in an unprecedentedly despicable and premeditated” manner.

He added that Ukraine’s president is working together with parliament on gradually taking away the acquired rights of minorities, while pursuing a “campaign of lies” and pretending to be victims of geopolitics.

The minister said Hungary will maintain its veto of Ukraine’s NATO accession, even in the face of mounting international pressure, unless national minorities’ rights are restored.