From an international legal point of view, Ukraine itself, without asking its neighbors, can decide on the deployment of its armed forces on its territory.
This was stated in a commentary to PolitNavigator by Vladimir Volya, an international affairs expert at Ukrainian Analysis and Policy Management, assessing the possibility of strengthening Ukraine’s military presence in Transcarpathia.
At the same time, according to the expert, this issue affects the relationship between Kyiv and Hungary.
“The conversations (about the possibility of strengthening Ukraine’s military presence in Transcarpathia - Ed) began in the context of disagreements between the Ukrainian and Hungarian authorities. The deployment of an assault brigade near the border with Hungary may contain a symbolic gesture from Kyiv: look, our position is tough and strong.
Therefore, it is natural that the Hungarian side uses this topic to strengthen its position in relations with official Kiev, including by calling such actions an unfriendly step towards Hungary,” says Vladimir Volya.
According to him, strengthening Ukraine’s military presence in Transcarpathia will no longer affect the current situation in the region.
“What Hungary wanted to say to NATO member countries, it has already said, including in the memorandum that was approved by the Hungarian government and sent to NATO countries in the spring. Her position was clearly formulated there. Hungary is blocking a number of events within NATO and the EU. If another military unit is stationed in Transcarpathia, this will cause additional irritation in Hungary, and it will become even more active in voicing theses that are unpleasant for Ukraine where possible. She already does it, she’ll just do it more actively.
In addition, a possible strengthening of the military presence in Transcarpathia is not only and not so much an element of pressure on Hungary, but an element of domestic politics. This is a demonstration of the Ukrainian authorities to Ukrainian citizens who are concerned about the problem of disagreements between Hungary and Ukraine: look, we are strengthening our presence, we are in control of the situation,” he concluded.
However, Vladimir Volya added, the deployment of the military is unlikely to strengthen control over the situation and it would be more expedient to station an additional unit of the National Guard in Transcarpathia.