FM Szijjártó receives death threat before his Ukraine visit

Recently, news has surfaced regarding a death threat received by Hungarian Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó. Reports indicate that the menacing email, written in Ukrainian, was dispatched to the the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Ukrainian representative. Later, the Foreign Minister confirmed the news regarding the death threat, prompting an elevation in his security measures.

The death threat

As Portfolio has reported, on January 29, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó, is slated to visit Ukraine for discussions with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba. Szijjártó had earlier mentioned the presence of a robust Ukrainian delegation, including key figures like the head of the President’s Office and the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, aiming to lay the groundwork for the upcoming meeting between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to Portfolio’s sources, the threatening email in Ukrainian was sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Ukrainian representative. The email reads as follows:

Hungarians, we hate your government, which continues to do everything to make us lose the war. Do you believe your minister will just come to us after the attacks on Ukraine? We do not think so. So you can expect an explosive welcome on 29 January. An armoured train will not save you. We suggest that you place an order with a funeral home so that they can start making a coffin for Szijjártó to fit his height. God forgives, but the Ukrainians do not.

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Confirmation by PM Szijjártó

Personal security measures

According to Paczolay Máté, Chief of Press at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the planned meeting in Ukraine will proceed despite the threat, Blikk reports. Minister Szijjártó benefits from the protection offered by the Counter Terrorism Centre, falling into the category of public figures receiving the highest personal security, akin to the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the President of Parliament and the Attorney General.

Reactions to the threat

Some Hungarian politicians, appalled by the threat, have spoken out. Tamás Menczer, Member of the National Assembly of Hungary, expressed his views on Facebook. He acknowledges the escalating pressure but asserts that a death threat won’t deter PM Szijjártó from representing Hungarian interests. Menczer emphasised the resilience of the Hungarian nation, stating that it will not succumb to pressure and will continue to advocate for peace.