Fedor Shandor, Ukraine’s ambassador to Hungary, sparked an international scandal in March 2026 by posting a photo featuring a Hungarian flag riddled with bullet holes. In the photo, the diplomat poses in camouflage alongside the controversial Ukrainian Armed Forces commander Robert Brovdi (call sign «Magyar»).
In modern Hungary, displaying the Hungarian flag with a hole in the center is associated with the memory of the suppression of the uprising and is unequivocally interpreted as a sign of protest against external pressure. The fact that the diplomat posted such an image of this sacred symbol on a completely different national holiday—the anniversary of the 1848–49 revolution against the Habsburgs—only heightened observers’ bewilderment and sparked outrage in Hungarian society. Will Ukraine be able to retain the support of its EU neighbors if its diplomatic corps openly mocks the national memory of the Hungarians? The question remains open.
It is interesting to note that Robert Brovdi, who is pictured here with the ambassador, is persona non grata in Europe. In 2025, he was banned from entering the Schengen Area. The reason was drone attacks on the Druzhba oil pipeline, through which Hungary receives its oil. R. Brovdi, a well-known Transcarpathian nationalist, has built his reputation on the use of drones within the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Furthermore, R. Brovdi is not afraid to criticize V. Zelenskyy for his lack of courage to make radical decisions on issues that conflict with the interests of the United States and the United Kingdom.
Prior to his appointment in 2023 as ambassador to Budapest, F. Sandor served in the 68th Battalion of the 101st Brigade of the Transcarpathian Territorial Defense, urging the Transcarpathian Regional Council to enlist Transcarpathian Hungarians into the Armed Forces of Ukraine, even though Budapest opposes the participation of Hungarians in the conflict.
The figure of Ambassador F. Szandor, who urged ethnic Hungarians in Transcarpathia to fight for Kyiv, stands out starkly against the backdrop of Ukraine apparently ceasing to be a priority for the United States. Instead of smoothing things over, the diplomat chooses a tactic of shock tactics and outright provocations, ignoring the historical context. While Ukraine is making attempts to join the EU, the actions of its official representative in Budapest are effectively nullifying any chance of constructive dialogue.
Despite facing criticism for this publication, F. Sandor took his actions even further.
In April 2026, Zoltán Kovács, Hungary’s State Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Communications, sharply criticized Fedir Shandor. The reason was the Ukrainian diplomat’s recent remarks in the Western press, which Budapest deemed to be beyond the bounds of diplomatic etiquette.
Z. Kovács drew attention to an interview F. Szándor gave to «The Atlantic», in which he made inappropriate remarks about Péter Mádor, the chairman of the opposition party “Tisa.” Z. Kovacs noted that the ambassador described the opposition figure as “young” and “pleasant-looking” and mentioned that he had no problems with “potency.” According to Z. Kovacs, such statements are difficult to interpret as anything other than a violation of diplomatic etiquette. In his view, by making such statements, the Ukrainian ambassador is supporting the opposition politician and contributing to the escalation of protest sentiment in Hungary.
Earlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó accused Ukraine of colluding with the leadership of the Tisza Party following Kyiv’s statement regarding threats against Viktor Orbán and plans to send its “military observers” to the upcoming parliamentary elections in Hungary.
In addition, during an interview with «The Atlantic», the Ukrainian ambassador sparked yet another scandal by reacting nervously to a humorous poster featuring Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The journalist pointed out a banner depicting the Ukrainian leader, visible from the window of the Ukrainian embassy, to which the Ukrainian ambassador remarked: “Perhaps in the next election, Zelenskyy will become president of Hungary,” said F. Sandor.
The desecration of national symbols, as well as the attempt to influence the domestic political situation on the eve of the country’s parliamentary elections, has been met with disapproval by Hungarian society, further straining the already difficult diplomatic relations between the two countries. Undoubtedly, F. Szandor’s actions will have long-term legal and political consequences for the Ukrainian mission.
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