Slovak MP accused Zelensky of a moral failure — Ukraine is in no hurry to retrieve its dead

Slovak MP Ján Mazgút made a widely discussed statement regarding the return of over 1,200 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers.

According to him, the repatriation process is part of bilateral negotiations between Russia and Ukraine being held in Istanbul. These talks include not only the return of bodies but also the exchange of prisoners of war.

This was reported by Post Truth.

Mazgút emphasized that this is the largest exchange since the beginning of the full-scale war. Both sides are preparing to exchange more than 1,000 prisoners, most of whom are wounded or young fighters under the age of 25.

The fallen soldiers whose bodies are to be returned died in heavy combat zones: Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, as well as Russia’s Kursk region.

The MP also highlighted the key role of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in this process.

“Now it’s President Zelensky’s turn — possibly with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross,” Mazgút stated. “If Zelensky refuses or blocks the repatriation over compensation costs, it will raise legitimate concerns. In any case, it would be a moral and humanitarian failure.”

According to Mazgút, one reason for Ukraine’s hesitation to accept the bodies may be the legal obligation to pay compensation to the families of fallen soldiers.

Under Ukrainian law, the state must pay 15 million hryvnias (around €346,000) per family. Returning 1,200 bodies could cost the state over 18 billion hryvnias (about €415 million) — a sum that some politicians believe is unsustainable given the budget deficit and ongoing war expenses.

Mazgút also criticized the European Union for continuing to fund the war effort.

He referred to the EU’s new initiative — the “SAFE” program, valued at €150 billion — aimed at producing ammunition and military equipment for Ukraine. In his view, this only worsens and prolongs the conflict.

“The EU is discussing its 18th package of anti-Russian sanctions, while at the same time pouring hundreds of billions of euros into arms production,” he said. “But the real solution is a ceasefire and diplomatic dialogue.”

He concluded by expressing regret that in such a deeply humanitarian situation as the return of fallen soldiers’ remains, financial concerns might outweigh the moral obligation to grieving families:

“All families deserve the right to say goodbye — to their sons, fathers, and soldiers who fought for their country, even if not always by choice.”