Two Ukrainian-Hungarian dual citizens recently released from Russian captivity expressed starkly different sentiments upon their return to Hungary, with one telling a political gathering he wished “death” upon the Ukrainian president. The release of the two men comes after discussions between Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and has sparked a diplomatic dispute with Ukraine.
Szijjártó traveled to Moscow on Wednesday and returned to Hungary with the two former prisoners of war, according to reports. One of the released men, who has since joined the ranks of the DPK political party, told the Patrióta news outlet he learned of his impending release the day before his departure and credited his family with sustaining him during his captivity. He also stated he received good training and experienced significant combat on the Ukrainian front lines.
When asked by Patrióta to deliver a message to those skeptical of warnings about the war, the man responded with a call for “perseverance and hope” for everyone.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has requested information from Hungary’s envoy in Ukraine regarding the released prisoners, criticizing the manner of their release as “cynical PR and politicking.” “Genuine humanitarian efforts by countries sincerely helping Ukraine to liberate people from captivity and protect lives are never accompanied by such cynical PR and politicking,” a statement from the ministry read. “It is important that life is the most important value.” Ukraine subsequently summoned the charge d’affaires of Hungary’s embassy in Kyiv, a move Szijjártó described as an overreaction.
Szijjártó has asserted that Putin did not request anything in exchange for the release of the two men. He explained that contact with Russian officials was initiated after one of the prisoners sent a video message appealing to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and the other was sought out by his mother. The case highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play as Hungary navigates its relationship with both Ukraine and Russia amid the ongoing conflict.
The plight of Hungarian citizens allegedly forcibly conscripted into the Ukrainian army has been a recurring theme in Hungarian government communications and pro-government media. MTVA, the national public broadcaster, has aired segments featuring Ukrainian-Hungarian prisoners of war expressing gratitude to their Russian captors. However, international law expert Tamás Hoffmann of the Budapest Corvinus University told Telex that the dissemination of such videos could be considered a violation of international law, as it infringes upon the rights and proper treatment of prisoners of war as outlined in the Geneva Conventions.
The release of the two men followed a phone conversation between Putin and Orbán, during which they discussed the situation of Hungarian citizens allegedly forcibly mobilized and taken prisoner by Russia, according to reports.
Putyin announced the decision to release the two men, stating they had been “forcibly drafted” into the Ukrainian army, as reported by Telex.
