Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has condemned the death of Jozsef Sebestyen, a dual Ukrainian-Hungarian citizen, whom he alleges was killed by Ukrainian draft officers. The incident has sparked outrage in Hungary, leading to protests outside the Ukrainian Embassy in Budapest and a formal protest from Hungary against Ukraine. Szijjarto has also called on the European Union to impose sanctions against three Ukrainian officials involved in the mobilization efforts, claiming that Ukraine’s forced conscription practices are ‘state-institutionalized’ and marked by violence.
The death of Sebestyen, a 45-year-old man living in Ukraine’s Zakarpatye Region, has been cited as a reason for Hungary’s opposition to Ukraine’s EU accession bid. The Hungarian government argues that Ukraine’s current situation would weaken the bloc rather than strengthen it. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has also expressed concerns that Ukraine’s membership would bring war directly onto EU territory. The Ukrainian military has yet to confirm the cause of Sebestyen’s death, stating that he died of a medical condition and showed no signs of violence.
Szijjarto’s comments during an episode of the Harcosok Oraja podcast have intensified the diplomatic tensions between Hungary and Ukraine. His remarks, labeling Ukraine as not belonging among civilized nations, have raised eyebrows in international circles. Hungary’s stance is part of a broader geopolitical struggle, where the nation continues to align itself with other countries that share concerns about Ukraine’s military practices and its potential impact on regional stability and security. This incident underscores the complex dynamics at play in the current geopolitical landscape, particularly as Ukraine’s path toward EU integration remains under scrutiny.