Transcarpathian leader hopes that Hungary's official position on Ukraine will be similar to that of President Novák

Novák spoke of a common future, Transcarpathian leadership hopes for Hungarian communication similar to that of the head of state

On her second visit to Ukraine's Transcarpathian region, Hungarian President Katalin Novák was greeted with a bouquet of flowers by local children in Berehove. She then walked into the Roman Catholic Church in Berehove amidst a huge applause and attended an ecumenical service.

In her speech, the President spoke about the importance of building up strength, Kárpáti Igaz Szó reports. Novák spoke of “a common future for Ukraine and Hungary despite the war" and said that she had brought the "strength of 15 million Hungarians" to Transcarpathia. At the end of her speech, she called on the people in the church to pray for peace and said:

"Let us draw strength from our shared history of a thousand years."

While in Transcarpathia, Novák met with representatives of the local military administration and the regional council, as well as with the leadership of Transcarpathia and Berehove. They discussed the strengthening of cross-border cooperation, including programmes launched after the outbreak of the war, such as support for Ukrainian refugees and humanitarian aid. They also spoke about joint environmental, educational, cultural and other initiatives.

Following his meeting with Katalin Novák, President of the Transcarpathian Regional Council, Volodymyr Chubirko said: "We have an ally in Hungary who supports Ukraine in its independence and sovereignty.

It is important for Budapest [the Hungarian government] to change its policy towards Kyiv in the same way."

The President then spent time with family members of the casualties of war and children from large families, before heading to Kyiv, where she will participate in the Crimea Platform at the invitation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.