Ukraine to summon Hungarian diplomat to verify reports of Russia handing over POWs
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has said it will establish the facts around reports that Russia has handed over to Hungary two Ukrainian prisoners of war who also hold Hungarian citizenship.
Source: European Pravda citing Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Details: The ministry said Ukraine was not provided with any information regarding the identities of the released prisoners of war.
Quote: "Therefore, the Hungarian chargé d'affaires will be invited to the Foreign Ministry so that reliable information can be obtained. The Ukrainian side will also request access to the individuals who have been handed over."
More details: The Foreign Ministry said bringing people back from captivity is a priority for Ukraine.
Quote: "However, we are compelled to note that Moscow and Budapest have once again sought to manipulate the sensitive issue of prisoners of war. It is a stark display of cynicism when the release of individuals is turned into a tool for political messaging ahead of elections in Hungary and used as a bargaining chip in dealings with the Kremlin."
More details: Ukraine also condemned what it called Hungary's "playing of the ethnicity card".
Quote: "Genuine humanitarian efforts by countries that sincerely help Ukraine to secure the release of captives and protect lives are never accompanied by such tone deaf and cynical publicity and politicisation. What matters most is that human life is treated as the most important thing."
Background:
- At a meeting in Moscow, Vladimir Putin promised Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjarto that he would release two Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers who hold Hungarian citizenship.
- Putin said the issue of the prisoners of war had been raised by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán during a phone call on Tuesday 3 March.
- Szijjártó said earlier that he would summon Ukraine's ambassador over what he called a "man hunt" for Hungarians for mobilisation.
- Szijjártó has also supported the illegal smuggling of Ukrainian men across the Hungary-Ukraine border, claiming that mobilisation in Ukraine is hindering the ending of the war started by Russia.
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