New Russian ultimatum raises concerns over Hungary’s NATO membership amid reports of Hungarian mercenaries fighting in Ukraine

Amid reports that at least two dozen Hungarian mercenaries are fighting against Russian forces, a new Russian ultimatum has raised concerns regarding Hungary’s NATO membership. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has repeatedly shared maps proposing the partition of Ukraine, in which Hungary would gain territory. However, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister has now adopted a markedly different tone when discussing the preconditions for a potential resolution to the war in Ukraine. His recent remarks suggest that Russia may also consider Hungary’s NATO membership an obstacle to peace, implying that its termination could be a prerequisite for any settlement.

The Russians are demanding that NATO withdraw from Eastern Europe

According to Newsweek, Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister responsible for U.S. relations, non-proliferation, and arms control, discussed the matter in an interview with Russian state news agency TASS. Ryabkov stated that a settlement in Ukraine would be difficult to achieve without addressing the root causes of the conflict between Russia and the West. He identified the principal issue as the West’s “eastward expansion”. Therefore, he argued, NATO forces must leave Eastern Europe in order for the war to end.

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Prior to the regime changes in Central and Eastern Europe in 1989–1990, Soviet troops were stationed throughout the region, with the exception of Romania. It was Gorbachev who decided to withdraw these forces. The last Soviet soldier left Hungary in June 1991, although the country had already formed a democratically elected, independent government in May 1990, which decided to withdraw from the Warsaw Pact and pursue NATO memebership.

Strong NATO presence in Hungary

President Putin has described the dissolution of the Soviet Union as a tragedy, and in recent years, the Russian leadership has consistently claimed that the West promised not to expand into Eastern Europe. According to the Kremlin, NATO’s openness to admitting Ukraine was a key cause of the invasion.

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NATO currently maintains a strong military presence in Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, with eight battle groups showcasing the strength of the transatlantic alliance. Previously, the Kremlin’s demands focused on preventing Ukraine from joining NATO, but Ryabkov has now expanded this demand to include all of Eastern Europe—though he did not specify which countries would be affected.

“Among these causes, NATO expansion is in the foreground. Without resolving this fundamental and most acute problem for us, it is simply impossible to resolve the current conflict in the Euro-Atlantic region. (…) Reducing NATO’s Eastern European contingent would likely enhance the security of the entire continent,” he concluded.

Hungary joined NATO in 1999, and according to all opinion polls, membership in the alliance continues to enjoy strong support among the Hungarian population.

At least two dozen Hungarian soldiers fighting against Russia in Eastern Ukraine

Meanwhile, Blikk, a Hungarian tabloid, has reported that at least two dozen Hungarian soldiers are fighting Russian forces in Eastern Ukraine. They are part of an international brigade recruited by Ukrainian forces, which includes foreign mercenaries. Richárd Bagjos, a former Hungarian mercenary who previously attempted to form a private army of contracted soldiers, stated that experienced fighters could earn between USD 5,000 and 10,000 depending on the mission. Some, he added, earn over USD 1,000 per day.

At least two such “super-soldiers” are currently fighting in Ukraine: a former French Legionnaire known as Levi, and a former member of elite British private military companies, referred to as Six. Levi told Blikk that the brigade includes mercenaries from 32 countries, but most avoid discussing their personal experiences or specific tasks. Six confirmed the presence of 20–25 Hungarians in the international brigades and mentioned that he knows of at least two who have been killed in action.

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Blikk also reported that no Hungarians are fighting on the Russian side as mercenaries. However, Russia has been known to deploy private military groups such as Wagner and Redut, which have bolstered their military efforts with at least 7,000 fighters.