(MENAFN) Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has stated that the deteriorating relationship between Budapest and Kiev is rooted in Ukraine’s mistreatment of ethnic Hungarians.

It is estimated that between 100,000 and 150,000 ethnic Hungarians reside in Ukraine’s western Zakarpattia Region.

Over the past ten years, the Ukrainian government has introduced laws limiting the use of non-Ukrainian languages in public life and education, which has sparked strong criticism from Budapest.

These policies have been accused of discriminating against ethnic minorities.

In a recent interview published on Monday, Szijjarto emphasized that the strain in relations with Ukraine extends beyond the ongoing war with Russia.

He remarked, “Right now we have very bad bilateral relations with Ukraine, which have nothing to do with the ongoing war.”

He continued, “These bad relations emerged about ten years ago when the Ukrainian government began violating the rights of national minorities.”

Szijjarto also expressed hope for a future Ukrainian administration that would honor the rights of minorities, stating, “We hope one day Ukraine will have an administration that respects minorities and restores their rights.”

Hungarian officials have also raised concerns regarding the conscription of ethnic Hungarians into the Ukrainian military, alleging instances of abuse by draft officers.

Earlier this month, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused the Ukrainian military of being responsible for the death of Jozsef Sebestyen, a 45-year-old ethnic Hungarian who was drafted.

The Ukrainian military countered by claiming that Sebestyen died from a medical condition and showed no signs of violence.

Despite this, Hungary has called on the European Union to impose sanctions on three Ukrainian officials involved in the mobilization process.

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