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Ukraine’s FM Sybiha References 1956 Budapest Uprising in Criticism of Hungary Over Russia

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Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk
Cyril Barabaltchouk
News Writer
Participants gather with flags at the Millennium Monument at Heroes' Square in central Budapest during an event commemorating the 69th anniversary of the Hungarian uprising on October 23, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)
Participants gather with flags at the Millennium Monument at Heroes' Square in central Budapest during an event commemorating the 69th anniversary of the Hungarian uprising on October 23, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha pushed back on Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó after the latter dismissed the idea that Ukraine is defending Europe from Russian aggression, Sybiha wrote in a post on X on February 18.

Szijjártó argued that “Russia has not attacked any member state of the European Union. Therefore, the European Union does not need anyone’s protection.” In response, Sybiha issued a sharply worded post on X, invoking both Hungary’s own history and the role of ethnic Hungarians serving in Ukraine’s forces.

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“I wonder what ethnic Hungarians who are defending Ukraine make of this shameless claim,” he wrote.

“Ukraine is winning time for Europe, making sure that Russian tanks don’t roll European streets, like they did in 1956 in Budapest. Apparently, Russian awards and energy profits cause amnesia,” Sybiha continued, mentioning the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.

Also known as the Hungarian Uprising, the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 was an attempted nationwide revolution against the government of the Hungarian People’s Republic and the policies caused by the government’s subordination to USSR.

The uprising lasted 15 days before being crushed by Soviet tanks and troops on 7 November 1956. Thousands were killed or wounded, and nearly a quarter of a million Hungarians fled the country.

Earlier, Slovakia and Hungary had announced the suspension of diesel fuel exports to Ukraine until oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline is restored.

According to the Slovak government, Prime Minister Robert Fico ordered the halt of diesel exports to Ukraine after crude oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline were suspended due to large-scale Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

The government also approved the release of 250,000 tons of oil from state reserves to stabilize domestic supply.

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