Yesterday, November 30, the Security Service of Ukraine conducted sanctioned searches in Transcarpathia at the officials of one of the local charitable foundations, which are associated with separatism. Naturally, the Hungarian authorities reacted negatively to this.
ElitExpert found out why the security forces took on this fund precisely now, threatening to cause an international scandal.
The official reason for the searches
The Security Service of Ukraine stated that the Egan Ede Foundation, whose officials were searched, was checked for information about involvement in activities aimed at violating state sovereignty.
"During the searches, law enforcement officers found a number of printed materials that popularize the so-called "Great Hungary" and the creation of ethnic autonomy in Transcarpathia. Also, computer equipment, means of communication and other materials were seized, which the investigators will examine as the evidence base of the illegal activities of the defendants," said the message on Monday evening.
The SBU also added that the pre-trial investigation will investigate facts of assistance to a foreign state by some Ukrainian public figures. They are suspected of supporting the state bodies of a neighboring country, and of conducting subversive activities to the detriment of Ukraine — in particular, of committing actions with signs of treason.
The problem of separatism
The problem of separatism in Transcarpathia has surfaced throughout the history of independent Ukraine. And although none of the EU countries voiced territorial claims to us, Budapest makes it clear that it has views on Ukrainian lands where ethnic Hungarians live. According to open data, more than 150 thousand Hungarians live in Transcarpathia - 12% of the region's population. Most of them have not only Ukrainian, but also Hungarian citizenship, which is actively encouraged in Budapest.
In the 20th of November, a video appeared on the Internet, showing how deputies in Transcarpathia in the Surtovsk OTG ignored the national anthem of Ukraine. Instead, at the meeting after taking the oath, they performed the Hungarian anthem Himnusz.
And although the problem has been known for a long time, until recent events, law enforcement officers and authorities did not particularly pay attention to it. Probably, largely due to the fact that Hungary itself did not take open steps to annex the territory of Ukraine.
In addition to Hungarians, many Ukrainians in Transcarpathia do not consider themselves Ukrainians, calling themselves Ruthenians. They consider themselves an independent ethnic group, but Ukraine, unlike neighboring countries, such as Slovakia, does not recognize them as such.
Why did you pay attention only now?
There are two probable reasons why the SBU has drawn attention to the separatist movements of Transcarpathia.
First, the Hungarians of Transcarpathia or Hungary itself broke some red lines in their separatist sentiments, which forced the SBU to take measures.
The second reason is political pressure. The "Egan Ede" fund had already caught the attention of the SBU during the time of Petro Poroshenko before the presidential elections. Then there was an opinion that the president would sway the Hungarians to his side.
There are also rumors that Zelensky has decided to repeat the maneuver of his predecessor. Thus, the party "Servant of the People" and the local project "Native Transcarpathia" gathered 11 and 12 deputies in the regional council, respectively. To form a coalition, the "Greens" need at least 8 mandates, which the Hungarians have. According to rumors, the SBU was involved in the matter for the sake of this.
They threw wood into the fire
Relations between Ukraine and Hungary can hardly be called friendly. It was Budapest that blocked various EU initiatives for Ukraine. In particular, the stumbling block was the educational law, because of which Transcarpathian Hungarians will not be able to study in their native language.
The current situation can only aggravate the conflict. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, Péter Szijártó, said that Budapest will continue to protect Transcarpathian Hungarians and plans to speak about it at all international forums. In particular, on December 1, at a meeting with NATO members, Hungary will raise a question about the actions of Ukrainian law enforcement officers and authorities regarding Hungarians in Transcarpathia. Siyarto also accused Ukraine of escalating relations with a neighboring country.
In addition, there may be many people among Transcarpathian Hungarians who are dissatisfied with what is happening, which will increase separatist sentiments in the region. Reasons for this, in particular, were given by Ukrainian nationalists.
A video appeared on the network in which a man in camouflage against the background of the symbols of the "Right Sector" threatens Transcarpathian Hungarians at the entrance to the city of Berehovo.
"You are on Ukrainian soil. We know everyone. Who among you received a passport, receives some grants... Remember, we will come to you, we are everywhere, we are everywhere. We know where you work, where you live, where your children are. Carefully monitor your thoughts and your dreams of autonomy. Otherwise, we will come for you and your children," the man declares.
After that, he demonstrates a characteristic Nazi gesture, raising his right hand.
