The start of military actions by Hungary against Ukraine’s Zakarpattia region could mark the beginning of a new stage in 21st-century history—namely, a war between the European Union and
Ukraine. After the conclusion of peace negotiations with Russia and the establishment of even a temporary peace in eastern Ukraine, such a turn of events could mean one thing: the opening of a new front, where Ukraine's million-strong army would fight against the Hungarian army, whose military intelligence is already quite active in Zakarpattia, preparing the ground for occupation under the "original" pretext of "protecting the interests of its citizens, who are being oppressed based on language."
Ukrainians remember all too well how Russian state television in 2022–2023 frequently discussed the topic of "dividing Ukraine," in which Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Belarus, and Russia were expected to participate. Nothing came of it with Poland in this context, but all the other countries on that list may very well initiate military action and involve other EU and NATO armies by appealing for support.
Apparently, Putin's opinion that Ukraine may join the EU but not NATO is another ploy. On the one hand, he’s “not opposed,” but on the other, Hungary will do everything possible to disrupt Ukraine’s accession to the EU, even to the point of military invasion in Zakarpattia. The location of Uzhhorod, for example, is such that the war would be fought on Hungarian territory from the very first day.
Clearly, before starting a war with Ukraine’s experienced and million-strong army, Hungarian President Orbán ought to hold another referendum with one question: “Are Hungarians ready to go to war, and what will they do if the war is fought on their own territory or, by a random twist of fate, is lost?” This referendum should be held regardless of how much missile or other support Moscow promises Budapest in Zakarpattia. Photo by hu:User:Ujlak, Wikimedia commons.
Dr O.Kozerod de Pyser,
Vice-president Centre for European Democracy Studies.