Former New York Gov. George Pataki recently embarked on a humanitarian mission to Ukraine, following a visit to Hungary where he commemorated the 70th anniversary of the country's 1956 revolt against the Soviet Union. Pataki, whose family has Hungarian roots, stated that promoting freedom in both nations is crucial amidst ongoing Russian aggression.
This marks Pataki's seventh trip to Ukraine as part of his Pataki Center's humanitarian efforts to support the country since Russia's invasion in 2022. During this visit, his group is focused on sponsoring youth sports programs.
"We want to help kids living in this horrible time to have some fun and provide hope for the future," Pataki told The Post in a phone interview from Budapest. He met with Prime Minister Péter Magyar during his visit to Hungary.
Pataki drew a personal connection to the current events, recalling his childhood experiences watching the Hungarian rebellion on television with his grandfather. "He taught me that freedom is never guaranteed and that the courage of ordinary people can change the course of history," Pataki said.
He described the trip to Hungary as both a privilege and a deeply personal experience. "Seventy years ago, the Hungarian people stood up against tyranny and sent a powerful message to the world: freedom is worth fighting for," he remarked.
The trip to Ukraine, scheduled for Saturday, is intended to promote sports diplomacy between the two countries, operating under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State and the former Trump administration. Pataki declined to comment on political matters related to the conflict, stating, "Our job is to help the people of Ukraine. I’ll leave the politics to others."
The lessons of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, he emphasized, remain relevant. "The heroes of the Hungarian Revolution remind us that even in the darkest moments, the human desire for freedom cannot be extinguished."