“Russia”s transfer of two Ukrainian prisoners to Hungary is a gross violation of international humanitarian law. The Coordination Headquarters for Prisoners condemns the transfer of Ukrainian citizens between Hungary and Russia and considers it a Russian provocation,” the statement says.
The Coordination Headquarters noted that the purpose of this provocation is to once again attack the Geneva Conventions and international law, as well as to worsen relations between the two European countries within the framework of Russia’s hybrid aggression against Europe.
At the same time, it is emphasized that support for Moscow’s war crimes and manipulation of the lives of Ukrainian prisoners of war may be regarded by international courts as participation in unprovoked aggression against Ukraine.
Ukraine calls on all those involved in this provocation to abandon their illegal intentions and not to use Ukrainian servicemen who have been taken prisoner by Russia as a bargaining chip.
“At the same time, we demand comprehensive information about the health of the captured Ukrainian citizens and allow authorized representatives of Ukraine to visit our defenders,” the Coordination Headquarters emphasizes.
They also recalled that in 2023, 11 Ukrainian citizens had already been transferred from Russia to Hungary without Ukraine’s consent.
Russia handed over Ukrainian prisoners to Hungary
Yesterday, March 4, Vladimir Putin promised Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó to release two Ukrainians who are being held captive in Russia. These are Ukrainians who have dual citizenship of Ukraine and Hungary.
According to Putin, he discussed the release of these prisoners on Tuesday, March 3, during a conversation with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry says that Moscow and Budapest are using prisoners of war as part of political PR ahead of the elections in Hungary.
In particular, the Ministry notes that it had seen a statement about Russia’s alleged transfer of several prisoners of war to Hungary, but Ukraine had not been provided with any information about this.
Therefore, the Hungarian chargé d’affaires will be invited to the Foreign Ministry to obtain reliable data. The Ukrainian side will also request access to the persons who have been returned.