Putin Orders Release of Two Hungarian-Ukrainian Soldiers Following Call with Hungarian FM.

Ukrainian Soldiers Granted Release

According to TSN.ua: Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the release of two captured soldiers from the Ukrainian Armed Forces who hold Hungarian citizenship. The decision came during a phone call with Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, who requested the prisoners' freedom. Both soldiers possess dual Ukrainian and Hungarian nationality. This case highlights the complex interplay of citizenship and allegiance in the ongoing conflict.

During the conversation, Putin stated:

“As the Prime Minister requested, you will be able to take them with you on the plane you arrived on and return with them to Budapest”

Minister Szijjártó had appealed directly to Russian authorities, saying:

“Therefore, I would like to ask you if you could make a decision to release some soldiers of Hungarian origin who are in the captivity of the Russian authorities”

Background of the Incident

This event is part of a broader controversy involving the transfer of Ukrainian prisoners of war to Hungary. On June 8, 2023, the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) announced it had handed over a group of Ukrainian prisoners to Hungary. The following day, June 9, 2023, Hungarian officials confirmed the ROC had transferred the Ukrainian captives to them.

The release of these servicemen could impact the strained relations between Ukraine and Hungary, as well as affect mobilization efforts in the Zakarpattia region, where the Hungarian government has taken steps to obstruct Ukrainian conscription. Thus, the issue of releasing soldiers of Hungarian origin carries significant weight for regional politics and security. Tensions have long existed over the rights of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine.

Freeing the soldiers with Hungarian passports may represent a step toward improving bilateral ties, which have been frayed by disputes over national minorities and mobilization. This could also influence the political landscape in a region where Hungary seeks to protect the interests of its minority community in Ukraine. Consequently, this prisoner exchange could form part of a wider strategy to re-establish dialogue between nations grappling with the consequences of the war in Ukraine.