Once a soldier, now a diplomat: Ukraine’s new Ukrainian-Hungarian Ambassador arrives in Hungary!
After a long wait, Ukraine’s new ambassador to Hungary, Alexander Fegyir, has finally arrived in the country. The diplomatic post has been on the agenda for years, but only now has the Ukrainian government made a final decision. The appointment of the Ukrainian-Hungarian ambassador is more than just an administrative decision; it is a clear signal of Ukraine’s commitment to strengthening its relations with Hungary.
The story of Ukrainian-Hungarian Alexander Fegyir is particularly interesting in this respect, as he is not just an experienced diplomat or academic but someone who has served his country in a completely different role in recent years. As a professor, he taught for a long time at the National University of Uzhhorod, but when the Russian-Ukrainian war broke out in 2022, he changed course in a flash and joined the Ukrainian armed forces as a soldier. Now, in a new twist in his life, he arrives in Budapest to represent his country in the diplomatic arena, swapping his military uniform for an ambassadorial suit.
It is not every day that an ambassador has direct experience of war, but that is exactly how Alexander Fegyir arrives in Hungary. Three years ago, he was a volunteer soldier on the Eastern Front, defending Ukraine from the Russian invasion with a gun in his hand. Now, however, he is entering a different but no less important battlefield, where he must use the tools of diplomacy to defend his country’s interests.
The main objectives of the diplomatic mission
According to Index, Alexander Fegyir stated firmly that he was aware of why he was coming to Budapest and what tasks awaited him. One of his main goals is to normalise and strengthen Ukrainian-Hungarian relations. In recent years, a number of political and minority issues have heightened tensions between the two countries.
In particular, the situation of the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia (Kárpátalja) has repeatedly provoked disputes between Budapest and Kyiv. However, the bi-national ambassador believes that it is possible to establish a mutually beneficial dialogue that respects the interests of both sides.
The ongoing war remains Ukraine’s most pressing issue, making international support a key focus of the ambassador’s work. Hungary has always been cautious regarding military assistance to Ukraine and has not always taken a clear position in Ukraine’s favour on the international stage. Fegyir hopes Budapest will be more open to supporting Ukraine and will maintain a channel of communication between the two countries despite the ongoing conflict.
A new opportunity for Hungarian-Ukrainian relations
Although relations between the two countries have not been free of tensions in recent years, the ambassador’s arrival could present an opportunity for a fresh start. According to Fegyir, there are many areas where cooperation between Hungary and Ukraine could be mutually beneficial.
The development of economic relations is one such area. Ukraine is open to Hungarian investment, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors. International assistance is essential for rebuilding the country, and Hungary could also benefit from fostering economic ties with its neighbour.
Cultural cooperation is another important factor. The two countries share close historical ties, and the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia provides a natural bridge between Ukrainian and Hungarian society. Strengthening these links and expanding cultural and educational programmes are key aspects of the ambassador’s role.
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Ignore him, eventually he will go away. Ukraine is an enemy.
So much for Ukrainians of Hungarian descent, trying to do good and leveraging their heritage. Get branded “an enemy”…