Ukraine accuses Moscow and Budapest of using POWs for election PR stunt

The ministry said it had seen reports about Russia transferring several Ukrainian POWs to Hungary. However, Kyiv has not received any official information about such a move.

"For this reason, Hungary’s chargé d'affaires will be invited to the Foreign Ministry to obtain reliable data. The Ukrainian side will also submit a request for access to the individuals who were returned," the statement said.

The ministry stressed that this is not the first time Moscow and Budapest have manipulated the sensitive issue of prisoners of war.

Cynical PR stunt before elections

"It is hard to ignore the cynicism when the release of people is turned into a political PR stunt ahead of elections in Hungary and a bargaining chip in relations with the Kremlin. Clearly, neither Putin nor the current leadership in Budapest knows any limits when it comes to cynicism," the statement read.

The ministry expressed hope that these individuals would now be left alone and allowed to decide their own future. It also condemned what it described as "manipulation of the ethnic card" coming from the Hungarian side.

"Ukraine always prioritizes protecting its citizens, regardless of their ethnic origin. Genuine humanitarian efforts by states that sincerely help Ukraine free people from captivity and save lives are never accompanied by such cynical PR stunts or politicization," the ministry said.

Background

Earlier on March 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó that two Ukrainian nationals held in Russian captivity would be released. The individuals reportedly hold dual Ukrainian and Hungarian citizenship.

Putin said he had discussed their release during a phone call on March 3 with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.