Hungary Summons Russian Ambassador Over Strike on Zakarpattia

Hungary Summons Russian Ambassador

According to Главком: Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Russian ambassador following a massive Russian air attack on the Zakarpattia region that occurred on May 13. This was announced by Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar. The meeting with the Russian diplomat is scheduled for Thursday at 11:30 AM. Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orbán expressed strong condemnation of the shelling.

Response from Hungarian Authorities

Hungarian officials report at least five drone strikes by Russian forces on Zakarpattia. The incident has sparked outrage in Budapest, where the government firmly denounces the Russian assault on the region. The decision to summon the ambassador was made after the first session of Péter Magyar’s government.

It is worth noting that the previous foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, never summoned the Russian ambassador following Russian strikes on Zakarpattia during the full-scale war. The former government’s lack of response to threats in the neighboring region, which is home to an ethnic Hungarian minority, had previously drawn sharp criticism from independent Hungarian media outlets.

For context, on May 13, Russia launched a massive combined attack on Ukraine, also targeting Lutsk, Kovel, Kolomyia, and Khmelnytskyi. Drone debris fell on open territory in Kyiv’s Obolon district. In response to these events, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated:

“It is possible that the occupiers may launch missiles at Ukraine after all the waves of drones.” - Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The summoning of the Russian ambassador signals a shift in the foreign policy of Hungary’s new government, which is seeking to respond more decisively to threats against its national minority in Ukraine. This move may reflect Budapest’s desire to strengthen its position in international relations and express support for the Ukrainian people. At the same time, the situation in Zakarpattia underscores the importance of regional security and stability amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

As tensions escalate, the situation in Ukraine remains dire, with recent reports highlighting a drone strike on a residential area in Ivano-Frankivsk. This attack is part of a broader pattern of aggressive actions by Russian forces, underscoring the urgent need for a unified response from neighboring countries, including Hungary, to protect vulnerable communities.