Two ethnic Hungarian prisoners of war from Transcarpathia have returned home following diplomatic interventions led by Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó.
Both men, who hold dual Hungarian and Ukrainian citizenship, had been forcibly conscripted into the Ukrainian army and later captured during the ongoing war.
The release comes amid escalating concerns over Ukraine’s forced conscription of ethnic Hungarians. According to the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, one dual citizen from Berehove was abducted by operatives from Odessa despite an official exemption, while another young Hungarian with mental health issues remains missing.
Szijjártó called the war in Ukraine “completely hopeless and senseless,” criticizing Brussels for continuing to fund the conflict without limit.
The two men returned safely after diplomatic talks in Moscow, where Hungary sought guarantees for their release and protection of Hungarian citizens. Balázs Orbán, Political Director to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, emphasized that Budapest will continue to prioritize Hungarian lives, stating
Protecting Hungarian citizens affected by the war remains our first responsibility.
Energy security has also been a critical topic during these talks. Hungary’s access to Russian oil and gas is under strain due to the Druzhba pipeline blockage by Ukraine, disputes with Croatia over maritime transit, and disruptions in global markets following the Iran crisis.
Szijjártó held high-level discussions with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, seeking guarantees that energy deliveries to Hungary will continue at unchanged prices.
