'Professor From the Trenches' Appointed Ukraine Ambassador to Hungary

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Fedir Shandor, a Ukrainian volunteer from Zakarpattia, as the new ambassador to Hungary. Shandor, who is of Hungarian descent, is known for his service in the 101st Zakarpattia Territorial Defense Brigade, having enlisted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine in February 2022.

Shandor is also a professor at Uzhhorod National University, earning the nickname “Professor from the Trenches” for his unique approach to teaching. In 2022, videos surfaced showing Shandor delivering lectures to his students during combat breaks, filmed from the trenches.

The position of Ukraine’s ambassador to Hungary had remained vacant since July 2022 following the dismissal of the previous ambassador, Lyudmyla Nepop. The delay in appointing a new ambassador was linked to complicated diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The appointment of Shandor had been under discussion for over a year. In August 2023, Hungary confirmed its approval of Shandor’s candidacy. In a statement, the Hungarian president, Katalin Novák, officially granted consent for his appointment in early August.

This decision followed months of discussions and negotiations. The appointment was expected to be finalized earlier, as indicated by the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in January 2024, but the formal agreement only came through later that year. The reasons behind the timing of the approval have not been disclosed.

This marks a new chapter in Ukraine-Hungary relations, with Shandor expected to take up his role in Budapest in the near future.