Hungarian Officials Have Illegally Campaigned in Local Elections in Ukraine

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated that on the day of voting in the local elections in Ukraine, the Hungarian side resorted to direct agitation for the party of Hungarians – the Society of Hungarian Culture of Transcarpathia.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is deeply saddened that in this way official Budapest brazenly confirmed its direct interference in the internal affairs of Ukraine and dealt an insidious blow to Ukraine’s consistent efforts to constructively resolve the problems in Ukrainian and Hungarian relations. We note that Budapest has ignored Kyiv’s repeated calls to stop disregarding the principles of the rule of law and good neighborly relations and to respect the laws of Ukraine,” it was said in the statement.

The diplomats stressed that citizens of Ukraine of Hungarian origin are an important and integral part of Ukrainian society. They have all the necessary rights and opportunities for free election of their representatives to local governments. And unacceptable tips to voters from Budapest violate the legislation of Ukraine and leave the Ukrainian side no choice but to react harshly to such steps in accordance with established international practice and legislation of Ukraine.

Natalia Tolub