Nationalism has been running rampant” in Ukraine since 2014, says persecuted Hungarian politician

László Brenzovics, the leader of Trancarpathian Hungarian cultural association KMKSZ, said Ukrainian-Hungarian relations and the situation of the region’s Hungarian community had taken a worrying turn, and called for bilateral talks in an interview published in the daily Magyar Nemzet on Monday.

“Nationalism has been running rampant” in Ukraine since 2014, Brenzovics said, citing “unprecedented events” such as anti-Hungarian demonstrations, threats and the petrol-bombing of KMKSZ’s offices.

He noted ongoing investigations by Ukrainian authorities of foundations in charge of handling the Hungarian government’s economic development scheme geared towards the Transcarpathian region and raids of his own home.

“But we are ready to face any investigation since those foundations are operating transparently and in line with Ukrainian laws,” the KMKSZ leader said.

Transcarpathian Hungarians make up only 0.3 percent of the country’s population and they are loyal citizens, Brenzovics said, highlighting efforts and support by the Hungarian government to help advance Ukraine’s integration with “Europe’s structure”.