PR unacceptable: Ukraine issues demands to Hungary over POW scandal
Photo: Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s foreign minister (Getty Images)
A Hungarian diplomat visited Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs after Budapest took two Ukrainian prisoners of war from Russia, according to the press service of Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Reason for the summons
"The Ukrainian side emphasized the unacceptability of PR and politicization of sensitive issues in connection with the transfer of several Ukrainian prisoners of war from Russian captivity to Hungary without any prior notification or coordination with Ukraine," the ministry said.
The ministry added that for Ukraine, the return of people from Russian captivity is an absolute priority. Work on this is being carried out on all possible platforms.
What Kyiv demands
Ukraine has again put forward several demands to Hungary:
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Ensure that the returned soldiers have contact with Ukrainian consular officials;
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Conduct a medical examination and provide the necessary assistance;
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Guarantee the possibility to freely determine their future without external pressure or coercion.
The Ukrainian side expects a prompt response from Budapest and official confirmation that the citizens have been granted full freedom to choose their place of residence.
Scandal over the prisoners
On March 4, 2026, during a meeting with Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Péter Szijjártó, Russian President Vladimir Putin allowed the release of two Ukrainians with dual citizenship, using the gesture as a "humanitarian gift" to the Hungarian side.
Putin allowed the Hungarian minister to take them with him on a plane.
In response, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the move as a PR stunt by the Hungarian authorities ahead of parliamentary elections.
