On January 29, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó will meet his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmitro Kuleba, in Ungvár. The date of the Hungarian-Ukrainian foreign minister’s meeting became final on January 19. The head of the ministry then announced that he had discussed the most important issues of relations between the two countries with Andrij Jermák, the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, on the phone, and that this discussion took place in the context of the preparation of the personal meeting in Ungvár.
Szijjártó added that “the Ukrainians will come with a strong delegation” to the meeting, as the Ukrainian Foreign Minister will also be there in addition to the head of the presidential office. He also expressed his hope that the most important bilateral issues could be successfully discussed at the meeting, primarily the issue of the rights of the Hungarian national community in Subcarpathia that were previously taken away, as well as the long-term future of relations between the two countries.
At the same time, according to our information, as the meeting approached, the Ukrainian representations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade received an e-mail written in Ukrainian, in which Péter Szijjártó was threatened with death.
The message read: “Hungarians, we hate your government, which continues to do everything to make us lose the war. Do you think that your minister will just come to us after the attacks on Ukraine?”
We don’t think so. On January 29, they can expect an explosive welcome. An armored train will not save you. We recommend that you place an order with a funeral home so that they can start making the coffin for Szijjárto and that it fits his height. God forgives, but Ukrainians do not
– can be read in the e-mail addressed to the representations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ukraine.
Pressure exercise
State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Tamás Menczer wrote on his social media page that the death threat does not deter Péter Szijjártó from representing the Hungarian interests, and they see and feel that the pressure is increasing.
The Polish Prime Minister attacks Hungary’s pro-peace position with unacceptable statements, and Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó receives death threats. Those who think that the Hungarian foreign minister is scary do not know Péter Szijjártó
– said Tamás Menczer.
The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs continued: “Those who think that they will break us with threats and pressure, they have no idea about the Hungarians, they do not know us.”
“We still want an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, peace talks and peace! There is no solution on the battlefield, there are only dead people. Peace requires a ceasefire and negotiation. We have the right to take this position. Exercising pressure and threats only make us stronger,” added Tamás Menczer.
Regarding the death threat against him, Péter Szijjártó revealed at his press conference in Brussels on Tuesday that he was informed on Monday that the threat came through the Ukrainian embassy in connection with the meeting of foreign ministers on January 29.
The head of the ministry said that Hungary is interested in good cooperation with Ukraine, and they are trying to reach an agreement for the sake of the Transcarpathian community. The Ukrainian authorities assured the Hungarian side that there will be the most thorough security measures at the meeting.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted
Foreign affairs spokesman Máté Paczolay informed Index that a death threat had been received from a Ukrainian source at their embassy in Kyiv, apparently with the aim of overshadowing next week’s meeting of foreign ministers or trying to prevent it from taking place.
We are interested in good cooperation with Ukraine, and Monday’s meeting also serves this purpose. The Ukrainian authorities have assured us that the most thorough security measures will be taken during the visit to ensure that the meeting in Ungvar is held safely
he said.
The spokesperson added that the Hungarian services are also in constant contact with the Ukrainian partner authorities and take the necessary protective measures so that the Ukrainian-Hungarian foreign minister’s meeting is about the real content and nothing else.
The goal is an Orban-Zelensky meeting
As we wrote, the meeting of foreign ministers serves the purpose of preparing the meeting between Viktor Orbán and Volodymyr Zelensky. In this regard, Andrij Jermak, the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, said earlier that this will also be the most important task of the January 29 foreign ministerial meeting.
Jermak added that they want to prepare the meeting of the Hungarian Prime Minister and the Ukrainian President as thoroughly as possible, and they want to clarify where and when the two parties can meet and what agreements they can agree on.
The head of the Ukrainian presidential office also admitted that many issues should be settled between the two parties. “Hungary is a member of the European Union and NATO. That’s why we need to talk to them, we need a constructive dialogue,” he said.
When asked whether he thinks the Hungarian side’s position has changed, or why the meeting can take place now, Jermak said:
Let’s put it this way, Hungary’s position has probably changed due to the war that has been going on for two years, our progress towards the European Union and our approach to NATO. So there are many factors behind it.
He also noted that the world in general “respects the strong” and Ukraine has now, in this “tragic war”, proved its strength for several decades or centuries.
(Cover photo: Péter Szijjártó on February 20, 2023. Photo: Tamás Kaszás / Index)
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