The Prime Minister of Hungary, Peter Madyar, announced the commencement of technical negotiations with Ukraine aimed at safeguarding the linguistic, educational, and cultural rights of the Hungarian community in the country.
This announcement followed a phone conversation with the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa. Madyar indicated that the parties have already initiated discussions focused on the protection of the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine.
“Before today’s government meeting, I informed the President of the European Council by phone that we have started a round of negotiations at a technical level with the Ukrainian side, aimed at ensuring the rapid protection of the linguistic, educational, and cultural rights of the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia,” Madyar stated.
Historically, under the leadership of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Hungary frequently obstructed significant EU decisions regarding Ukraine, delaying the opening of negotiation clusters, the 20th sanctions package against Russia, and the allocation of a €90 billion loan.
During parliamentary hearings, Hungary’s new Foreign Minister, Anita Orbán, acknowledged that the previous administration often blocked EU decisions not out of principled stances but for political reasons. She remarked, “Hungary too often became an obstacle in the decision-making process in Europe. We used the veto not as a last resort but for political publicity.”
The political landscape shifted following the parliamentary elections on April 12, 2026, where Madyar’s party, Tisa, secured a decisive victory, winning 138 out of 199 seats in parliament.
In the wake of this victory, Madyar emphasized that rebuilding relations with Ukraine is a priority for his government. He extended an invitation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to meet in Berehove in early June.
Additionally, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga recently held discussions with his Hungarian counterpart, Anita Orbán, expressing readiness to open a “new chapter” in bilateral relations. He stated that Ukraine is prepared to move swiftly toward mutually beneficial cooperation.
The two sides agreed to conduct expert consultations within the week to identify practical solutions regarding the Hungarian minority in the Transcarpathian region and to collaborate with the new Hungarian government on all aspects of the bilateral agenda, including minority issues.
Hungary and Ukraine have begun technical negotiations to protect the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, marking a potential shift in their bilateral relations. Following recent elections, the new Hungarian government aims to enhance cooperation with Ukraine, addressing historical tensions and minority rights.