In a video linked to the post, Orban said the government meeting on Wednesday had looked at developments in the Russia-Ukraine war, "because yet another of our Hungarian compatriots has fallen victim to forced conscription by the Ukrainian authorities."

The government has contacted the family of the Tanscarpathian man, and is providing all aid at its disposal, he said.

At the meeting, the cabinet decided to expel Ukrainians participating in forced conscriptions, he added.

Szijjártó: Legal Basis Confirmed for Sanctioning Ukrainian Military Leaders

The European Council's legal service has found a Hungarian proposal to be well-founded. The proposal suggests placing three Ukrainian military leaders on a sanctions list for their role in forced conscriptions, which in several cases have resulted in death, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó announced in Luxembourg on Monday.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Minister welcomed the legal validation during a press conference following a meeting of the EU’s Foreign Affairs and Energy Council.

Key Points of the Proposal:

* Targeting Responsibility: The proposal aims to sanction three specific military officials responsible for violent mobilization efforts in Ukraine.
* Legal Validation: Szijjártó stated that the European Council's legal service confirmed these individuals bear responsibility for forced conscriptions.
* Impact on Hungarians: The Minister emphasized that these violent practices have already resulted in the death of an ethnic Hungarian.

"The legal service of the European Council has established that the three individuals we want to place on the sanctions list are indeed responsible for forced conscription in Ukraine," Szijjártó noted.

Background and Demands

The Minister called on the EU to place the officials on the sanctions list with immediate effect, citing the well-supported nature of the Hungarian proposal.

In July, Hungary banned these three officials from entering the country and simultaneously initiated EU-level sanctions against them. This move followed the reported death of József Sebestyén, who was allegedly beaten to death by recruiters in Ukraine.

PM Orbán: Brussels Attempting to "Sweep Under the Carpet" Death of Hungarian Conscript

Brussels bureaucrats are trying to "push the case of the Hungarian victim of forced conscription off the table" because it contradicts their narrative regarding Ukraine’s readiness for EU membership, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated on Kossuth Radio’s "Good Morning, Hungary!" program on Friday.

The Prime Minister argued that this is not merely a local concern, but a broader European issue supported by findings from international organizations.

Key Highlights from the interview:

* Systemic Issues: Orbán emphasized that the incident is not an isolated case but part of a systematic practice. He described the current recruitment methods as a "manhunt," where individuals are hunted down and forcibly drafted into the Ukrainian army if they do not go willingly.
* EU Narrative vs. Reality: The Prime Minister claimed that the brutality of these conscriptions is embarrassing for Brussels. While EU officials report progress in Ukraine regarding human rights, judicial reform, and anti-corruption efforts, Orbán argued these claims "have nothing to do with reality" for those living in close proximity to the country.
* Strasbourg Evidence: He noted that a Strasbourg-based organization has compiled a comprehensive assessment of these practices, which aligns with the Hungarian government’s position.

"In reality, a manhunt is taking place. They call it conscription or forced mobilization, but recruitment units are hunting down people they believe can be immediately packed off to the Ukrainian army. If it doesn't work with kind words, they use violence," Orbán said.

Conclusion

The Prime Minister concluded that while Brussels portrays Ukraine as "overripe" for EU membership, the lived experience of neighboring Hungary suggests a significant disconnect between official diplomatic reports and the situation on the ground.


Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.

Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media.

XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com

*********************************************************************************************

You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: 

Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoop’s groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary

You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters

Showcase Your Business to Expats in the Loop:

As an independent portal we’re grateful to all commercial supporters who help keep you in the loop with fresh insights and inspiration. Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? If so please contact us here.