Can Ukraine's Diplomat Professor Do What "Not Even A James Bond" Can: Restore Hungary-Ukraine Ties?

Fedir Shandor, a 48-year-old Ukrainian sociology and tourism professor with Hungarian roots, has been nominated as Kyiv's ambassador to Hungary. Gaining fame as the "professor from the trenches" after videos of him teaching remotely from a warfront went viral, Shandor is an unconventional choice aimed at mending tense relations between Ukraine and Hungary, an EU and NATO member. Hungarian PM Viktor Orban, criticised for ties with Moscow and blocking aid to Kyiv, has previously had disputes with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Despite not being a career diplomat, many believe Shandor's unique position might offer a fresh start in Ukrainian-Hungarian relations.