As part of his working visit to Hungary to participate in the Conference of Speakers of the Parliaments of the European Union Member States, held in Budapest, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk, paid tribute to the victims of the so-called “málenkij robot” — the mass deportations of the Hungarian population to the Soviet Union following the end of the Second World War.
«The Soviet totalitarian regime forcibly deported about 600,000 Hungarians to the USSR. 200,000 did not return. They were deceived into doing so-called ‘small jobs’, which turned into slavery, camps and death», Ruslan Stefanchuk said at the memorial.
He emphasized that Ukraine stands in solidarity with the Hungarian people in commemorating this tragedy «Moscow then concealed its crimes, just as it is trying to do today in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. But the truth is stronger than a lie».
According to Ruslan Stefanchuk, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is currently working on a draft resolution to recognise and condemn the repressions of the Soviet military administration against Hungarians and Germans in Zakarpattia in 1944-1946.
«We know how to deliver a just assessment of the past. And at the same time — we look toward a shared future. Ukrainians and Hungarians are neighbors, partners, and nations bound by solidarity. And our common adversary is the same — and we know well who it is. Together, we must remain resilient in the face of its criminal and provocative actions,» emphasized the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.