Hungarian Prime Minister Magyar Meets Zelenskyy, Budapest No Longer Blocking Ukraine’s EU Accession Talks

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 16 October 2026 on the sidelines of the European Council summit. Their first bilateral meeting aims to improve relations between Budapest and Kyiv, which have long been strained over the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine and Hungary’s consistent blocking of Ukraine’s path toward European Union membership.

The meeting came after Ukraine adopted new rules regarding education in national minority languages, prompting Hungary to lift its block on opening additional chapters in Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations.

Magyar and Zelenskyy Seek to Restore Trust

This meeting marks a significant diplomatic move following years of tension between the two countries. Under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Budapest repeatedly objected to Ukrainian language and education laws, using its position in the EU to slow Ukraine’s integration with Europe.

New Prime Minister Péter Magyar has signaled a more pragmatic approach. However, his government continues to emphasize that Ukraine must uphold its commitments regarding the rights of the Hungarian minority.

Following the meeting, Magyar said he viewed the adoption of the minority language education law as a first step towards rebuilding mutual trust. He also expressed solidarity with Ukraine in the context of Russian aggression.

Ukraine Updates Rules for National Minorities

One of the main obstacles in the bilateral relationship was the status of the approximately 100,000-strong Hungarian minority living in Ukraine, mainly in the region of Zakarpattia.

Kyiv has adopted new legal provisions expanding the use of selected minority languages in education and school activities. These measures cover teaching conditions and some exams.

Ukrainian remains the language of state education, but the updated rules strengthen protection for instruction in minority languages that are also official languages of the European Union.

These changes have made it possible for Ukraine to move forward in its EU accession talks. For more details on Ukraine’s broader path toward European integration, see our article “Ukraine can apply to join the European Union and NATO.”

Brussels Opens More Accession Chapters

After Hungary withdrew its objections, EU member states allowed the opening of two additional accession chapters with Ukraine. Ukraine has now advanced in four out of six accession clusters.

This is a key development, but it does not mean Ukraine will join the EU right away. The accession process involves extensive reforms, alignment of national laws with EU regulations, and approval from all current member states at each stage.

The change in Budapest’s position could facilitate further negotiations, but their pace will depend on Kyiv meeting set conditions and decisions taken by other member states.

Relations Improve, but Issues Remain

The meeting between Magyar and Zelenskyy signals both governments’ willingness to continue dialogue. Further talks at the ministerial level are expected, focusing on implementation of agreements and practical bilateral issues.

However, not all disputes have been resolved. Budapest will continue to monitor the protection of Hungarian minority rights, and Ukraine faces more challenging steps in its accession process.

These developments underscore the importance of bilateral relationships in EU enlargement decisions. For further context on European security policy, see our article “NATO changes its strategy and strengthens defense.”

READ ALSO

• Ukraine running low on Patriot missiles as Russian attacks intensify

This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.