“The Transcarpathian Hungarians need peace and calm”

“Relations between Ukraine and Hungary must be resolved, and I will try to contribute to this any way I can” declared István Petruska, current district administrator of Berehove (Beregszász) and incumbent Deputy Governor of Zakarpattia Oblast to Anatoliy Poloskov, in his interview with Magyar Nemzet. He emphasized that the most mutually suitable solutions must be found for the strained relationship between the neighboring countries. According to him, a solution necessitates constructive attitudes from the leaders of the two nations.

Petruska himself, along with the people of the region are very thankful for this donation; the Ukrainian media even reported on the aid efforts, he pointed out. Former Governor of Zakarpattia Oblast, Oleksij Petrov, and President-Director of HIA, László Lehel, signed a memorandum last May to strengthen cooperation, and Petruska confirmed the significance, collaboration and professionalism this agreement offers.

In answer to the question: what do the Hungarians of Transcarpathia need? Petruska declared that they require peace and calm. He is looking forward to the renovation of the Berehove (Beregszász) hospital by the end of the year—most poignantly, as a symbol of future cooperation and progress.

The Hungarian Interchurch Aid has been consistently active in Ukraine for the past 18 years, providing aid throughout the country. President-Director László Lehel and current Governor of Zakarpattia Oblast, Anatoliy Poloskov, met in December 2020 at Uzhorod to discuss further cooperation between the foundation and Ukraine—especially in the Transcarpathian region. In the past months, HIA has provided vast amounts of medical supplies to various health and social institutions, hospitals, and families in need.