Hungarian officials have intensified calls for Ukraine to address perceived violations of minority rights, reigniting long-standing tensions between the two nations despite the backdrop of Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia. In a recent interview with Russian news agency RIA Novosti, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto attributed strained bilateral relations to policies enacted by Kyiv over the past decade, including language restrictions and allegations of discriminatory practices against ethnic Hungarians.
An estimated 100,000 to 150,000 ethnic Hungarians reside in Ukraine’s western Zakarpattia region, where laws limiting the use of minority languages in education and public life have fueled diplomatic clashes since 2014. “Our poor relations with Ukraine emerged years before the war, when their government began systematically violating the rights of national minorities,” Szijjarto stated, adding that Budapest hopes for future leadership in Kyiv that “respects and restores these rights.”
The dispute has escalated amid reports of forced conscription of ethnic Hungarians into Ukraine’s military. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently accused Ukrainian authorities of responsibility for the death of Jozsef Sebestyen, a 45-year-old ethnic Hungarian draftee. While Ukraine’s military attributed Sebestyen’s death to a preexisting medical condition, Hungary has urged the EU to sanction three Ukrainian officials linked to mobilization efforts.
Further friction arose earlier this year when a Hungarian church in Zakarpattia was destroyed in a suspected arson attack, which Budapest condemned as a targeted act. Meanwhile, Orban’s government continues to oppose Ukraine’s integration into NATO and the EU, citing risks of escalating hostilities with Russia. Hungary remains one of the few NATO members refusing military aid to Kyiv, advocating instead for negotiations to resolve the conflict.
Ukraine has denied allegations of systemic discrimination, emphasizing efforts to protect minority rights. However, Kyiv acknowledges that a bilateral treaty with Hungary—seen as crucial for regional stability—remains contingent on Budapest dropping its objections to Ukraine’s NATO aspirations.
The standoff reflects deeper geopolitical divides, with Hungary positioning itself as a vocal critic of Western support for Ukraine’s wartime strategies. As diplomatic efforts stall, the treatment of Zakarpattia’s Hungarian community continues to strain relations, complicating Ukraine’s broader aspirations for European integration amidst its prolonged defense against Russian forces.
