Latest news with #Zakarpattia
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hungary cancels meeting on national minorities with Ukraine over spying scandal
Hungary cancelled a meeting planned for May 12 with a Ukrainian delegation on the rights of national minorities, Hungary's Deputy Foreign Minister said on May 11, amid a deepening spying scandal between the two countries. "I cancelled tomorrow's meeting because I believe that the recent developments in Hungarian-Ukrainian relations do not allow for an honest and constructive discussion on such an important and sensitive issue as the rights of national minorities," Hungarian Deputy Foreign Minister Levente Magyar wrote. On May 9, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) allegedly dismantled a Hungarian military intelligence network operating in Zakarpattia Oblast, detaining two agents accused of espionage against the Ukrainian state. Soon after on May 9, Hungary allegedly expelled two "spies" working under diplomatic cover at Ukraine's embassy in Budapest, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said. In response to Szijjarto's statement, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Ukraine is expelling two Hungarian diplomats from Kyiv. The Kyiv Independent cannot independently verify accusations of spying. Zakarpattia Oblast is a region with a sizable ethnic Hungarian minority and a sensitive location along NATO's eastern frontier. Kyiv has long accused Budapest of undermining Ukraine's sovereignty through political interference and dual citizenship schemes. Budapest has repeatedly accused Kyiv of discriminating against the Hungarian ethnic minority concentrated in southwestern Ukraine, an accusation that the Ukrainian leadership denies. Much of these disputes center around Ukraine's language laws that require at least 70% of education above fifth grade to be conducted in Ukrainian. While Budapest has called this measure discriminatory toward the Hungarian minority, Kyiv retorted that it only aims to ensure that every Ukrainian citizen has sufficient knowledge of the official language. Hungary has formulated an 11-point request to Ukraine regarding the rights of national minorities, which included the restoration of the status of a national school, the ability to take a high school diploma in Hungarian, and the ability to use Hungarian in public life. Ahead of exacerbated tensions caused by the scandal, the two countries have in recent months sought to mend relations on the issue. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in October 2024 that Kyiv was preparing a bilateral cooperation document with Budapest "to clear up misunderstandings" between the two countries. While Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Sept. 30 after talks with Szijjarto that both sides see "positive dynamics" in resolving issues related to national minorities. In September 2023, the Ukrainian parliament approved changes to national minorities law, which was one of seven steps recommended by the European Commission in June 2022 for Ukraine's accession to the European Union. The changes were signed into law by Zelensky in November. Hungary continues to maintain positive relations with Russia in contrast with other EU members. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been broadly seen as the most Moscow-friendly leader in the EU during Russia's all-out war against Ukraine. He has repeatedly opposed military aid for Ukraine, arguing that Western support prolongs the war. On March 26, Szijjarto visited Moscow to discuss continued economic cooperation between the two countries. Read also: Ukraine detains Hungarian spy network in westernmost Zakarpattia Oblast, SBU reports We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hungary cancels planned talks with Ukraine on national minorities
Hungary has postponed the consultations with a Ukrainian delegation scheduled for 12 May on the issue of national minorities. These talks were expected to mark the beginning of regular negotiations. Source: a statement by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, as reported by European Pravda Details: The Ministry of Justice reiterated that both sides had previously agreed in Budapest to set up expert groups to consider 11 Hungarian recommendations. The Ukrainian delegation had hoped for initial results from the first round of consultations on 12 May, the ministry added. "The postponed consultations were planned to take place in the city of Uzhhorod, where the Ukrainian delegation had already arrived," the statement said. Background: The cancellation comes amid renewed tensions in Ukrainian-Hungarian relations, following a statement by the Security Service of Ukraine that it had uncovered an intelligence network operated by Hungarian military intelligence in Zakarpattia Oblast. The network was reportedly assessing the mood of local residents and gauging their reaction to the possible presence of Hungarian peacekeepers in the oblast. Subsequently, Budapest announced the expulsion of two Ukrainian diplomats, accusing them of espionage. In response, Ukraine announced the expulsion of two Hungarian diplomats. It was also reported that a Ukrainian citizen who had previously served as a diplomat had been detained in Budapest and later deported. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine war latest: Russia continues to attack Ukraine while Victory Day celebrations underway in Moscow
Key developments on May 9: Russian glide bombs attack Sumy Oblast despite ceasefire, Air Force says European ministers approve special tribunal to prosecute Russia's aggression against Ukraine EU to provide Ukraine with over 1 million shells over 2025, allocate over $2 billion for military aid from Russian frozen assets US, European allies finalize proposal for 30-day unconditional ceasefire, Reuters report Ukraine detains Hungarian spy network in westernmost Zakarpattia Oblast, SBU reports Russian forces continue to attack Ukraine with guided aerial bombs despite a three-day ceasefire on Victory Day, Ukraine's Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat told Ukrainska Pravda on May 9. While the Kremlin unilaterally announced a truce from May 8–11 , heavy fighting continued in multiple regions throughout the front line. Russian troops launched 130 guided aerial bombs on May 8 against Sumy Oblast, which shares a border with Russia, including Bryansk Oblast to the northeast, and Kursk and Belgorod Oblasts to the east. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us Russia continued striking Ukrainian territory the following day, on May 9, which coincides with Victory Day, a major national holiday commemorating the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Russian forces launched 56 guided bombs by midday using Su-34 aircraft operating under the cover of Su-35 fighters, Ihnat said. The spokesperson added that at noon, nearly 10 Russian aircraft were near the front line's Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy sectors. Before the ceasefire, Russia launched three waves of drones against Ukraine, totaling more than 200, according to an Air Force report. Ukrainian forces shot down 101 drones, while another 70 disappeared from radars without causing any damage. On the following morning, when the ceasefire had started, Russian attacks killed and injured Ukrainian civilians in at least two oblasts, according to local authorities. Read also: Ukraine is sending the war back to Russia — just in time for Victory Day European foreign ministers approved the creation of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine during a meeting in Lviv on May 9. The tribunal, which will operate under the auspices of the Council of Europe, aims to prosecute Russia's top political and military leadership, including President Vladimir Putin. The approval marks a key step in international efforts to hold Moscow accountable for what is considered the gravest violation of international law committed against Ukraine. In a joint statement, coalition representatives welcomed the completion of technical work on the legal instruments necessary to establish the tribunal. They cited the UN General Assembly resolutions on aggression against Ukraine and the Vienna-Riga Statement of Nov. 22, 2024, as the foundation for the tribunal's mandate. The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to launching the tribunal's work as soon as possible and called on additional states and international organizations to join and support the tribunal's activities. The next formal step will be at the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers meeting in Luxembourg on May 13–14. The statement was endorsed in the presence of EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, and Council of Europe Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, and Rule of Law Michael McGrath. Delegations from 35 countries and the Council of Europe gathered in Lviv on May 9. The visit coincided with Russia's Victory Day parade in Moscow, an annual event the Kremlin uses to showcase military might and justify its war against Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky has long advocated for the tribunal to ensure that Putin and other senior Russian officials face justice for launching the invasion nearly three years ago. Ukrainian authorities have documented thousands of war crimes, including deliberate strikes on civilians, cultural heritage sites, medical facilities, as well as torture and forced deportations. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already issued arrest warrants for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian official overseeing the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Unlike other international charges such as war crimes or crimes against humanity, the crime of aggression targets only the top leadership responsible for planning and waging a war. Read also: France is sending Ukraine more AASM Hammer bombs — here's what they can do against Russian forces The European Union has pledged to supply over 1.35 million rounds in 2025 and plans to allocate nearly 1.9 billion euro ($2.1 billion) from Russian frozen assets in military support for Ukraine, Ukrainian officials announced on May 9. The news comes as delegations from 35 countries and the Council of Europe gathered in Lviv to discuss the establishment of a special tribunal against the Russian leadership and new defense aid for Ukraine. Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha thanked the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, and EU allies for the initiative to provide 2 million artillery rounds for Ukraine. According to Sybiha, by the end of 2025, European partners must send Ukraine at least 1.35 million shells, while work to increase this number is ongoing. The minister also highlighted the new EU instruments for the long-term development of the European defense sector and the accelerated integration of the Ukrainian and European defense industries. "This will strengthen European defense with our unique technologies and strengthen our defenders on the battlefield," Sybiha said. Read also: 'I just hate the Russians' — Kyiv district recovers from drone strike as ceasefire remains elusive Following the event in Lviv, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that the EU has announced its intention to allocate almost 1.9 billion euro ($2.1 billion) for military support to Ukraine. "This is a historic decision, as weapons for Ukraine will be purchased at the expense of the proceeds from frozen Russian assets through the European Peace Fund," Shmyhal said. One billion euros ($1.1 billion) of this sum will be used to purchase weapons according to the Danish model, that is, directly from Ukrainian manufacturers, by Italy, Denmark, France, and the Netherlands, Shmyhal added. Another 600 million euros ($676 million) will be spent on artillery and ammunition, while more than 200 million euros ($226 million) will be spent on strengthening Ukraine's air defense, according to Shmyhal. Speaking at the same event, French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced that Paris will allocate profits from frozen Russian assets to the maintenance of CEASAR 155mm howitzers, of which Ukraine has received dozens since 2022. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Europe has allocated 138 billion euros ($157 billion), 23 billion euros ($26 billion) more than the U.S., according to an April 15 report by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy's Ukraine Aid Tracker. The U.S. still holds an edge in terms of military aid — its 65 billion euros ($74 billion) total leads Europe by 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) — but the gap is narrowing, as Washington has not allocated a new aid package since Jan. 9, still under the Biden administration. Read also: How medics of Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade deal with horrors of drone warfare The U.S. and European allies are in the final stages of working on a proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire in the Russian war against Ukraine, Reuters reported on May 9, citing a French diplomatic source. The day before, U.S. President Donald Trump on May 8 called for a "30-day unconditional ceasefire" between Ukraine and Russia. Yet, recent months have seen a series of failed peace talks and ceasefires, including one initially brokered by the U.S. in March. While Ukraine immediately agreed to the ceasefire, Russia repeatedly violated it. Washington and its partners are considering additional sanctions if the parties do not observe a ceasefire, with political and technical negotiations between Europe and the U.S. intensifying since last week, Reuters' source said. "We felt in the discussions with the Americans a certain irritation towards the Russian posture, the lack of reactivity and seriousness in its responses to what was proposed before," the source told Reuters. "The decision is practically taken." Nearly two months ago, Ukraine accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, but Moscow rejected it, demanding a complete halt on military aid to Ukraine. Russia has repeatedly proclaimed its supposed readiness for peace talks while simultaneously pushing for maximalist demands. Kyiv has dismissed these declarations as a propaganda stunt, noting that Russian forces have only intensified their attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns. Read also: 'The front is noisy' — for Ukraine's soldiers, Russia's Victory Day 'ceasefire' is yet another sham The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has allegedly dismantled a Hungarian military intelligence network operating in Zakarpattia Oblast, detaining two agents accused of espionage against the Ukrainian state, the agency announced on May 9. According to the SBU, this marks the first time Ukrainian authorities have exposed a Hungarian military intelligence network conducting activities harmful to Ukraine. The operation's objectives reportedly included gathering intelligence on military defenses, identifying vulnerabilities in its ground and air defense systems, and assessing local residents' socio-political views, particularly scenarios of public reaction if Hungarian troops entered the region. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been broadly seen as the most Moscow-friendly leader in the EU during Russia's all-out war against Ukraine. He has repeatedly opposed military aid for Ukraine, arguing that Western support prolongs the war. Zakarpattia Oblast is a region with a sizable ethnic Hungarian minority and a sensitive location along NATO's eastern frontier. Kyiv has long accused Budapest of undermining Ukraine's sovereignty through political interference and dual citizenship schemes. SBU counterintelligence detained two alleged agents as a result of a complex operation. Investigators identified their supervisor as a Hungarian military intelligence officer, whose identity has been established by the agency. Read also: Russian regime's legitimacy rests on the manipulation of history One of the suspects, a 40-year-old former Ukrainian military officer, was recruited by Hungarian intelligence and placed on standby in 2021. The SBU said he was "activated" in September 2024. After that, he reportedly conducted reconnaissance on the deployment of Ukrainian Armed Forces and the coordinates of S-300 air defense systems in the region. The agency documented that after gathering intelligence, the agent crossed into Hungary to deliver reports to his handler. During these meetings, the Hungarian intelligence officer allegedly provided him with cash to fund operations and instructed him to expand an informant network. According to the investigation, the agent attempted to recruit at least two individuals. In March 2025, the SBU recorded a second meeting between the agent and his handler. The agent reportedly received a phone equipped with specialized software for covert communications. His new tasks included identifying official vehicles belonging to Ukraine's army, gathering data on military losses, and reporting front line developments through an identified contact in the Armed Forces. The second detainee is a former member of Ukraine's security forces, who left service in 2025. The SBU said her responsibilities involved reporting on the presence of aircraft and helicopters in Zakarpattia and the air defense systems at her former military unit. The agency said the suspects have been charged with high treason under martial law. They are currently in custody and face life imprisonment with property confiscation. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto claimed that Budapest had not received any official information about the case and called the information "Ukrainian propaganda." "If we receive any details or official information, we will be able to deal with it then, but until then it should be treated as propaganda, which should be treated with caution," he said. Ukraine War Latest is put together by the Kyiv Independent news desk team, who keep you informed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you value our work and want to ensure we have the resources to continue, join the Kyiv Independent community. Read also: 5 things Putin conveniently left out of his Victory Day speech in Moscow We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
CNN
09-05-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Ukraine says it has uncovered Hungarian spy network working in border region
Ukraine said Friday it had exposed a network of Hungarian spies trying to obtain defense secrets in a border region of Ukraine – the first time it said such an operation has been discovered. The Security Services of Ukraine (SBU) said it had detained two Hungarian special services agents, whom it claims were reporting to a handler in Hungarian military intelligence and were looking for ground and air defense vulnerabilities in the southwestern Zakarpattia region, which borders Hungary. 'Comprehensive measures are currently underway to bring all members of the Hungarian intelligence network to justice,' said the statement. Hungary responded to the arrests by expelling two of the staff at the Ukrainian embassy in Budapest. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on his Facebook page that two spies who had been working 'under diplomatic cover' at the embassy were being ordered to leave. Ukraine and Hungary are at odds over the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and Ukrainian accession to the European Union. Hungary has also criticized European sanctions against Moscow. The Hungarian government has also frequently complained that the ethnic Hungarian minority in Zakarpattia is discriminated against. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto responded to the arrests by posting on X: 'The past three years have shown that the war in Ukraine is being fought not only on the battlefield, but also in the information space. Anti-Hungarian propaganda is often used without any factual basis.' Szijjarto told reporters: 'If we receive any details or official information, then we will be able to deal with this. Until then, I must classify this as propaganda that must be handled with caution.' Ukraine's SBU said the Hungarian spies were tasked with gathering information about the military security and studying the views of residents and 'behavior scenarios' if Hungarian troops entered Zakarpattia. The SBU alleged that one man from Berehove in Zakarpattia was recruited in 2021 and 'activated' last September. It accused him of collecting information on the location of Ukrainian defense systems, including its S-300 anti-aircraft missile system in the region. It also alleged he had attempted to recruit two other men as he tried to establish a 'network of informants.' The second person detained, a woman who left her unit in Ukraine's Security and Defense Forces this year, had been tasked with informing the Hungarian special services about the defense systems of her unit and informing on the presence of aircraft and helicopters in the Zakarpattia region, the SBU claimed. The Zakarpattia region stayed part of Ukraine after the breakup of the Soviet Union. The region was once part of the former Kingdom of Hungary and later Czechoslovakia. According to a census in 2001, just over 150,000 ethnic Hungarians lived in the region, but the number is widely thought to have declined since then. Last year, representatives of the Hungarian-speaking community criticized a draft Ukrainian law that would have restricted the use of Hungarian in schools by allowing it to be used only in classroom activities and not outside classroom settings. The two countries had disagreements over Hungary's 2011 decision to relax its naturalization procedures and allow anyone who can speak Hungarian and has Hungarian ancestry to gain citizenship – even if they have never stepped a foot in the country. Tens of thousands of Ukrainians were granted Hungarian passports since then, despite Ukraine not allowing dual citizenship. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has opposed Ukraine's accession to the EU in part because of claims that ethnic Hungarians in western Ukraine face discrimination. Orban has remained on good terms with Moscow throughout the conflict and has opposed the growing raft of EU sanctions against Russia as well as EU aid packages for Ukraine. On Wednesday, Orban said EU President Ursula von der Leyen 'wants to pour further billions into Ukraine, pull Europe further into a losing war, and rush a bankrupt state into the EU.' 'Hungary won't go along with this,' he said.
Al Arabiya
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Budapest expels diplomats after Ukraine detains alleged Hungarian spies
Hungary said Friday that it expelled two Ukrainian diplomats, accusing them of spying, after Ukraine's SBU security service said it detained two alleged Hungarian spies. Relations between Kyiv and Budapest remain cold as Hungary's nationalist leader, Viktor Orban, openly sided with Moscow after it invaded Ukraine three years ago and refused to send Ukraine military aid. Orban has also opposed Kyiv's bid to join the European Union. Ukraine's SBU security service said Friday it had detained two alleged Hungarian spies it accused of gathering intelligence, including the location of air defence systems, in the western Zakarpattia region bordering Hungary. 'For the first time in Ukraine's history, the Security Service has exposed a Hungarian military intelligence network that was conducting espionage activities to the detriment of our state,' the SBU said in a statement, adding that 'two agents' had been detained. The SBU said the suspects were a 40-year-old man and a woman, both ex-soldiers, and that they were supervised by a Hungarian intelligence officer. They both now face up to life in prison, it added. Hungary reacted by expelling 'two spies working under diplomatic cover at the Ukrainian Embassy in Budapest,' according to Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. He slammed Ukraine's investigation as 'the latest smear campaign.' 'We will not tolerate the constant launching of such smear campaigns against Hungary and the Hungarian people in Ukraine,' Szijjarto said in a video posted on Facebook, slamming 'growing anti-Hungarian propaganda.' Ukraine's security service alleged the man had received cash from the Hungarian officer and tried to recruit at least two people as informants. Apart from gathering information about the military, the agents also had to study 'the socio-political views of local residents, in particular, scenarios of their behaviour if Hungarian troops entered the region,' the secret service added. According to the last official census in 2001, around 150,000 ethnic Hungarians lived in Ukraine's Zakarpattia region.
