The relations between Hungary and Ukraine, far from the best, are undergoing another crisis.
Budapest is afraid about Kiev's efforts to influence the interior political processes in Hungary and the violations of the rights of the Hungarian number in the westernmost region of Ukraine.
Not for 800 billion for Kiev
The reason for the next escalation is the call of the Hungarian ambassador to the Ministry of abroad Affairs of Ukraine. As stated in the authoritative uncommon Minister for abroad Affairs and Trade of Hungary Péter Szijártó, the Ukrainian side protested against the start of a collection of signatures under the petition in Hungary against the transfer of $800 billion to Ukraine.
"Ukrainians proceed to put force on Hungary. They called on our Ambassador to Kiev to protest the collection of signatures against the transfer of EUR 800 billion to Ukraine" said Szijjártó.
Hungarians with a ban on entry to Zacarpathia
However, Hungary's most crucial claims concern another sphere. The Minister stated that Kiev intends to limit the trips of Hungarian officials to the Ukrainian Zakarpackie region, where the Hungarian number lives. "This is another step from the Ukrainians, which runs counter to European values and principles, another anti-Hungarian step due to the fact that they clearly want to limit the contacts between the Hungarian government and the Hungarian national community in Zakarpacie" – stressed Szijjártó.
Ukrainian election interference?
The conflict around the situation of the Transcarpathian Hungarians is simply a long and painful problem. A fresh impulse gave him a leak. documents published by Balkan media. According to these, materials, which had already appeared in the Hungarian media, the safety Service of Ukraine (SBU) allegedly set up a peculiar working group to influence political processes in the Hungarian community before the parliamentary elections in Hungary. The goal, as stated, was ‘reduction of influence’ conservative circles of diaspora that do not support Tisza's opposition party. Kiev has not commented on this case so far. At the same time, however, the erstwhile SBU chief Vasily Maliuk, whose signature appears on papers that appeared on the Internet, has been dismissed.
Escalation Before Elections
Faced with these events, Budapest's position on military and financial assistance to Ukraine by the EU remains firm and, judging by the statements made by the Hungarian authorities, will surely not change before the elections. Hungary will proceed to block the right decisions, which is already becoming increasingly irritated in Brussels and another EU capitals. Thus, the local dispute over number rights imposed on European safety and interior political processes in both countries, deepening the gap between neighbouring countries.
JK