Hungary’s Magyar meets Zelenskyy in bid to reset strained ties

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar convened his inaugural bilateral summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the European Council event. This significant encounter took place after weeks of deliberations regarding the timing and location of the dialogue. Both Kyiv and Budapest view this meeting as an opportunity to restore amicable relations after prolonged hostilities between the neighboring nations.

Under the tenure of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Ukraine was frequently depicted as a potential security threat in Hungary, and Orbán actively opposed its accession to the EU. However, following his Magyar's party's electoral triumph, he pledged to adopt a more pragmatic stance and mend bilateral ties. Despite his government's insistence on Ukraine fulfilling its obligations regarding minority rights prior to advancing membership talks, progress has been made.

On Monday, Ukraine's parliament ratified a new law, which Zelenskyy promptly signed into effect. The following day, the European Union initiated negotiations concerning two further accession clusters, reducing the remaining barriers to six. To foster mutual trust, Magyar asserted that Ukraine's Parliament passed the minority education legislation as per the agreed-upon terms, and the Ukrainian side had already commenced its implementation. Magyar announced this development via a social media post.

In his statement, Magyar also pledged ongoing solidarity with Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian aggression, which has been raging for over five years. Magyar and Zelenskyy are scheduled to meet again soon, potentially discussing matters at a ministerial level. Additionally, a subsequent summit is anticipated in Berehove, western Ukraine, a hub of Hungary's 100,000-strong Hungarian minority, possibly in the autumn.

Zelenskyy might also pay a visit to Budapest next week to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, a pivotal episode in Hungarian history. His deputy chief of staff, Ihor Zhovkva, confirmed the invitation via an exclusive interview with Euronews, stating that the Ukrainian President had received an invitation and was contemplating the trip.

The 1956 revolution, characterized by Hungarian students protesting against Soviet occupation, subsequently spiraling into a widespread uprising that the Red Army ultimately suppressed, could also draw intriguing parallels with Ukraine's current defense against Russia's full-scale invasion.