Hungarian FM slams Ukraine over party ban, Kyiv responds
Photo: Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has accused Ukraine of banning a party that represented the interests of the Hungarian community in Zakarpattia, according to his Facebook post.
In particular, Szijjártó demands an explanation from the Ukrainian government regarding media reports about the ban of the Transcarpathian Hungarian Cultural Association.
What Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry says
Journalists reached out to Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi for comment on Szijjártó’s statement. In response, he emphasized that the media reports about the alleged ban of the Hungarian association by Ukraine are false.
"Our bilateral relations with Hungary already have enough issues that need to be resolved. There's no need to add unfounded media claims to that list," the MFA representative said.
Incidentally, ahead of the EU General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, May 27, Hungary's Minister for EU Affairs János Bóka stated that Budapest intends to continue blocking Ukraine's EU integration process. He also accused Kyiv of engaging in espionage activities on Hungarian territory.
Hungary's policy towards Ukraine
During the more than three years of full-scale war, the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has repeatedly opposed providing military assistance to Ukraine and its integration into NATO. Budapest has also systematically objected to sanctions imposed on Russia.
Currently, Hungary is actively using its veto power to stop negotiations on Ukraine's EU membership.
Orbán recently issued an ultimatum to Brussels, demanding that it block Ukraine's European integration.
In response, a group of Members of the European Parliament sent a letter to the European Commission with a proposal to suspend all funding to Hungary for violating EU values and laws.
