Hungary’s foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, did not respond to the insults directed at Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban by Dnipro mayor Boris Filatov, a development reported by TASS. The absence of a direct reaction was noted against a backdrop of ongoing diplomatic sensitivities and strained ties that continue to color discussions about regional politics.
Szijjarto emphasized that Hungary remains committed to cultivating constructive relations with Ukraine. Yet he underscored a recurring issue: the rights of ethnic Hungarians in Transcarpathia are routinely violated. In his view, Kyiv has not acted as a reliable partner on this matter, a stance he described in blunt terms while also pointing to a recent Ukrainian law he said further deteriorates the conditions for national communities and reduces rights available to national minorities. This critique reflects a pattern of discord between Budapest and Kiev over minority protections, one that has reappeared in different guises across public statements and parliamentary discourse.
The foreign minister then referred to what he described as an “intellectual gap” between himself and Filatov, noting that the gaps in dialogue extend beyond individual remarks. He recalled that Filatov had previously directed coarse insults toward Orban, framing the exchange as emblematic of broader diplomatic fault lines rather than a mere clash of personalities.
“I do not intend to engage with the mayor’s statement,” Szijjarto remarked, adding that there is an “intellectual gulf” between him and the mayor of the Ukrainian city that he has no desire to bridge through commentary or retaliation. The remark signals a deliberate choice to avoid escalating rhetoric, a stance often adopted by officials who seek to keep formal channels open while signaling firmness on core concerns.
Earlier, Filatov took to social media with a post that used coarse and insulting language about the Hungarian prime minister and the people of Hungary. The comment appeared in the wake of a speech delivered by the Hungarian politician at a closed meeting during an international conference held in Budapest, a setting that typically invites careful diplomatic language but sometimes sparks sharper exchanges in the public sphere.
In a related exchange, the head of the Hungarian prime minister’s office, Gergely Gulyás, spoke to leaders representing ethnic Hungarians in Transcarpathia, urging attention to the realities faced by national minorities living within Ukraine. The framing of the issue highlighted the international dimension of minority protection and the responsibilities that states bear to ensure fundamental rights are not eroded by new legislation or policy shifts. The statement from Budapest conveyed a clear expectation that Ukraine acknowledge and safeguard the rights of minority communities, a cornerstone in ongoing discussions about regional stability and cross-border cooperation.