Hungary to expel Ukrainian officials over forced conscription death

2026-02-04 - 22:05

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared Wednesday that Ukrainian officials responsible for forced military conscription will be expelled from Hungary after a Hungarian citizen died in Ukraine. The announcement, shared by government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs on social media platform X, marks a sharp diplomatic escalation between Budapest and Kyiv over the issue. Orban's statement and cabinet decision In a video message, Orban stated that the cabinet reviewed developments in the Russia-Ukraine war, noting "a few days ago another Hungarian compatriot of ours fell victim to forced conscription by the Ukrainian authorities." He announced the government's decision that "the people involved in forced conscription, Ukrainian people, will be immediately expelled from the territory of Hungary." The move directly responds to the death of the conscripted individual. Official confirmation and family assistance Government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs confirmed the incident, writing that "a Hungarian citizen has died as a result of forced conscription in Ukraine." He added that Hungarian authorities are currently providing assistance to the bereaved family. The statement did not specify the number of Ukrainian officials to be expelled or their specific roles in the conscription process. Broader context of bilateral tensions This expulsion order deepens existing tensions between Hungary and Ukraine, which have been strained since Russia's invasion in 2022. Hungary has maintained a notably critical stance towards Kyiv, opposing EU sanctions on Russian energy and delaying various forms of military aid to Ukraine. The issue of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine's Transcarpathia region has been a particular point of contention, with Budapest accusing Kyiv of violating minority rights—a claim Ukraine denies.