Security Service of Ukraine conducted mass searches in the Transcarpathian region at a local charitable foundation, checking information about the involvement of Hungarians in activities aimed at violating state sovereignty. The actions of law enforcement officers angered the Hungarian authorities – they promised to raise the issue in NATO reports “European Truth”.
“During the searches, law enforcement officers found a number of printed materials that popularize the so-called” Great Hungary “and the creation of ethnic autonomy in Transcarpathia. Computer equipment, communications and other materials were also seized, which the investigators will investigate as evidence of the illegal activities of the defendants,” – says the message.
The SBU added that the investigation is investigating the facts of assistance to Hungary by certain Ukrainian public figures. They are suspected of conducting subversive activities, in particular, committing acts with signs of high treason.
Hungary immediately reacted to these actions, protesting Ukraine. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter Siyarto recorded a video message entitled “We will protect the Transcarpathian Hungarians at all international forums “, in which he declared the inadmissibility of persecution.
“Despite recent promises and so-called attempts at reconciliation, in a figurative sense, unfortunately, in Ukraine and in the future, the main policy of the government remains the policy of intimidation of the Hungarian community and anti-Hungarianism,” he said.
Siyjarto promised to raise the issue at a videoconference of NATO foreign ministers: “It is unacceptable that a country that allegedly seeks Euro-Atlantic and transatlantic integration constantly intimidates and puts pressure on a national minority that belongs to one of the NATO member countries.” /
Relations between countries aggravated against the background of local elections in Transcarpathia. On October 26, Ukraine banned entry to two high-ranking Hungarian officials because of campaigning in the region. Officially, their names were not disclosed, according to sources, they are politician Istvan Grezha and Hungarian Secretary of State, responsible for national policy in the government, Arpad Janos Potapi.
On election day, Siyarto called on Ukrainian Hungarians to vote for the party “Society of Hungarian Culture of Transcarpathia” and the current mayor of Beregovo, a representative of the Hungarian community Zoltan Babiak. As a result, this political force won the elections.
In 2019, a scandal erupted between Ukraine and Hungary. A video from the Hungarian consulate in Transcarpathia appeared online, in which the consul handed out passports to local residents and swore allegiance to Hungary. Later it turned out that these were not passports, but a package of documents for obtaining citizenship. Ukraine expelled a diplomat from the country. Hungary responded similarly.