Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, during a meeting with Hungarian Ambassador to Ukraine István Íjgyártó, called the statement of alleged “intimidation” of Hungarians in Zakarpattia region groundless speculation.
The Ambassador of Hungary to Ukraine was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, who was hosted by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said on Dec. 1.
“Any allegations that ‘intimidation’ of the Hungarian community or part of it is allegedly taking place in Ukraine is groundless speculation. In Ukraine, as a rule of law state, the principle of individual, not collective responsibility operates,” the minister said, stressing that all citizens of Ukraine equal before the law regardless of nationality and ethnic origin.
The minister also added that Hungarian Ukrainians are an integral part of Ukrainian society.
Thus, the head of the Ukrainian foreign policy department called on the Hungarian side to avoid steps and statements that do not reflect reality and create destructive tension in Ukrainian-Hungarian relations. The minister called the situation unacceptable when the citizens of Ukraine – the deputies of the merged territorial communities at their inaugural meeting, sing the national anthem of any other state, in particular of Hungary.
In addition, Kuleba told the Hungarian diplomat that the investigative actions of law enforcement agencies in Zakarpattia region are taking place within the powers of the SBU regarding individual citizens of Ukraine, and are not directed against the Hungarian national minority.
