hungary has formally requested that the European Union consider sanctions against three Ukrainian officials.This action follows protests from Hungarian officials regarding the conscription of ethnic Hungarians into the Ukrainian military and accusations of mistreatment by draft officers. Prime Minister Viktor orban recently attributed the death of Jozsef Sebestyen, a 45-year-old ethnic Hungarian who had been drafted, to the Ukrainian army. The Ukrainian military, however, stated that Sebestyen died from a medical condition and that no violence was involved. Earlier this year, a Hungarian church in Zakarpattia was also targeted in an arson attack, which Hungarian authorities condemned.
Orban has consistently voiced opposition to Ukraine’s aspirations for NATO and EU membership, citing concerns that such integration could escalate the conflict with Russia. Hungary has also withheld weapons shipments to Kyiv and continues to advocate for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing hostilities.
Ukraine has refuted the allegations of discrimination. However, Kyiv maintains that a comprehensive bilateral treaty with Budapest is contingent upon Hungary’s support for Ukraine’s bid to join NATO.
