Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin has said Russia will use the situation with the issuance of Hungarian passports to Ukrainians in Zakarpattia to destabilize the region in particular and Ukraine as a whole.
"Let's look at the main thing here. The main thing is that Russia is using and will use the situation to destabilize our country as a whole, destabilize Zakarpattia region. You remember those cases of arson, organized by the FSB from Transnistria? There will be more," Klimkin said in a video statement published on Facebook
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He believes that Russia's actions are neither in the interests of Hungarians in Zakarpattia nor in the interests of Hungary.
"We started a real public discussion, but I would very much like it not focus only on the events at the consulate. We're already over this, everything is clear here," the foreign minister said.
According to Klimkin, he outlined his argument to the Hungarian counterpart: the Hungarian side violated the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
"I suggested that the Hungarian Foreign Minister recall that consul. If this is not done this week, we will send a note to the Hungarian side about his expulsion precisely this week," he said.
At the same time, Klimkin warns everyone against pressuring and harassing Hungarians in Zakarpattia. "On the contrary, we should help our Hungarian community. We must seize the initiative and act very consistently," he said.
"We will act toward Hungary politely, at the same time remaining very tough and consistent," Klimkin added.
As UNIAN reported earlier, a video was posted on social media showing the consulate of Hungary in Berehove reportedly issuing Hungarian passports to citizens of Ukraine. Klimkin called on Hungary to take action after the publication of the video.
In turn, MFA Hungary claimed no law in Ukraine banned citizens from obtaining another country's passport.
