Activities of Hungarian KMKSZ party in Transcarpathia resemble actions of pro-Russian parties in Crimea before the annexation - Andriy Baloha 

This was stated by the Mayor of Mukachevo Andriy Baloha in a comment to Espreso.

"I reject all speculation about the oppression of the Hungarian minority. These are the narratives of Hungarian propaganda associated with the ideology of "Greater Hungary". These narratives are used by Orban and like-minded people to rally their supporters and to "justify" anti-Ukrainian actions: from blocking our rapprochement with NATO, even before the start of Russia's large-scale aggression, to blocking anti-Russian sanctions and assistance to Ukraine today," said Andriy Baloha. 

"The reason is simple: Orban is an ally of Putin and obviously has territorial claims to Ukraine. His actions and statements, including his demonstrative appearance in a scarf with a map of "Greater Hungary", which, in particular, includes part of Transcarpathia, statements about Ukraine as a "no man's land", cannot be interpreted in any other way," he added.  

According to Andriy Baloha, as long as Hungary is a member of NATO and the EU, it is unlikely that Orban will be able to realize his fantasies about the annexation of Ukraine’s land, but he will definitely continue to try to weaken us in every possible way in the interests of Russia.

"Of course, Orban has assistants in Zakarpattia who support the hysteria about the oppression of the Hungarian minority every time - this is the KMKSZ party. This political force, which is little known outside of Zakarpattia, is constantly adding fuel to the fire and implementing the policy of the Hungarian prime minister here," the official said.

"In 2018, in the midst of another campaign about the oppression of Hungarians in Ukraine, they agreed to declare that the Ukrainian government is using "fascist methods against Hungarians. In fact, their so-called political activities are very similar to what pro-Russian parties did in Crimea, preparing the peninsula for annexation. At the same time, we need to understand that the Hungarian minority in Ukraine is not just Orban's KMKSZ party. They are thousands of Ukrainian Hungarians, who do not support Orban's policy and support our actions. We have been working and will continue to work closely with them for the sake of Ukraine's victory over the enemy and in the interests of the development of our community and Transcarpathia."  

• In October last year, the Hungarian symbol of the Palanok Castle, the turula, was dismantled in Mukachevo. Because of this, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto summoned the Ukrainian ambassador. 

• In January 2023, a scandal erupted in Hungary because Hungarian flags were removed in the villages of the Mukachevo community. 

• On January 23, Pesti Sracok published a report in the style of Russian propaganda about repressions of Hungarians and brutal mobilization in Zakarpattia, which resulted in "thousands of men being abducted by force." 

• On January 26, the head of the Transcarpathian Regional Association of Hungarians, Viktor Mykyta, said that over the past few weeks, Russia has been actively using the narrative of the so-called "oppression of the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia" in its propaganda. 

• On the same day, Viktor Baloha accused the leadership of the Transcarpathian Regional Military Administration of covering up for Orban's "fifth column."

• In late January, Viktor Orban said that Hungary borders on Russia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine summoned the Hungarian Ambassador Istvan Ijgyarto because of these statements.