**Hungary’s Influence in Ukraine’s Westernmost Region: A Complex Relationship**
In the heart of Ukraine’s westernmost Zakarpattia Oblast, lies the town of Berehove. The patchwork of Soviet-era apartment blocks, historical buildings, and hillside vineyards that make up this town are a testament to its rich cultural heritage. Here, Hungarians have shared the land with Ukrainians, Romanians, and others for centuries, forming a unique community.
A member of the local council, Vitalii Antipov, points out the Hungarian tricolor alongside the Ukrainian flag in the town’s center. “That’s Hungary, over there,” he gestures towards the not-so-distant horizon. Antipov himself is of both Ukrainian and Hungarian descent, reflecting the complex ties between the two groups.
**A Power Play Against Kyiv**
In recent years, Hungarians in Zakarpattia have been at the center of Viktor Orban’s power play against Kyiv. The region has also seen an unprecedented spying scandal, with Ukraine claiming to have uncovered a Hungarian espionage network. Antipov acknowledges that Hungary’s influence is not new and will likely remain.
However, far from the simplistic image presented by Budapest, Ukraine’s Hungarians have reacted differently to recent challenges. Some have fled westward into Europe, seeking safety and stability, while others have taken up arms, driven by a desire to protect their community.
**Fragile Harmony in Berehove**
On the streets of Berehove, politics is no topic for discussion. Questions about Orban are often brushed aside, sometimes with suspicion, sometimes with amusement. The local Ukrainian and Hungarian communities live in harmony, with many residents proudly displaying both languages on shop signs and street banners.
“We have always lived here peacefully — that is, we have no political problems,” says Mykhailo Popovych, a strawberry seller. Overhearing the discussion, a man at a neighboring stall quips, “We are no spies,” subtly revealing what is on people’s minds in the past weeks.
**Migration and Language: A Complex Issue**
The region has been impacted by world events, with Orban accusing Ukraine of infringing on the rights of the Hungarian minority. The 2017 laws expanding the use of Ukrainian in education have been cast as discrimination against the Hungarian minority.
“People are afraid that these changes may cause their children to lose the opportunity to learn freely in their native language,” Antipov says. “The Hungarian minority is worried about losing its linguistic identity and is afraid of assimilation.”
**A Separate Identity: Transcarpathian**
Residents describe a harmonious cohabitation between Ukrainian and Hungarian speakers, which has coalesced into what some call a separate identity: “Transcarpathian.” Encapsulating the town’s nature, Berehove’s central market is abuzz with Ukrainian, Hungarian, and Russian languages. Streets are lined with both Hungarian and Ukrainian flags, and shops bear signs in either or both languages.
“It doesn’t bother me; it never has,” says Viktoriia Skoropadska, a domestic products vendor at the bazaar, when asked about the different languages spoken in her hometown. She is ethnically Hungarian but answers in Ukrainian.
**Conclusion**
The complex relationship between Hungary and Ukraine’s westernmost region is a testament to the country’s rich cultural heritage. While world events have had a major impact on the community, residents strive for harmony and understanding. As one resident puts it, “We are no spies.” Only time will tell how this fragile balance will continue to evolve in the face of external pressures.
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