Von der Leyen, Costa and Macron head to Budapest in sign of EU-Hungary thaw
EU leaders set for Budapest ceremony as Hungary seeks a new chapter with Brussels
Poinews.com – Senior European leaders are due in Budapest on Friday for events marking seven decades since Hungary’s 1956 uprising against Soviet rule, in a visit that also underlines a marked improvement in relations between the Hungarian government and the European Union.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to attend the anniversary commemoration. The ceremony will be hosted by Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar, whose Tisza Party took power in April and has moved to reset the country’s relationship with Brussels.
The gathering carries meaning beyond the historical anniversary. Hungary’s 1956 revolt remains one of Europe’s defining acts of resistance to Soviet domination, and the event comes as Russia’s war against Ukraine continues to shape European security and political debate. The participation of leading EU figures offers an opportunity to connect Hungary’s historical experience with present concerns over sovereignty, democracy and military aggression in Europe.
A break from years of confrontation
For much of the previous government’s time in office, ties between Budapest and EU institutions were strained. Under former prime minister Viktor Orbán, Hungary frequently stood apart from the broader European position on Ukraine. His government repeatedly delayed or blocked EU measures intended to assist Kyiv, including financial and military support, while retaining close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Magyar’s administration has signalled a different direction. It has pledged to restore Hungary’s place in the European mainstream and address disputes that had persisted between Budapest and Brussels. In a significant departure from the approach of the Orbán era, the new government has described Russia as a security threat.
Hungary has also approved the opening of four negotiating clusters in Ukraine’s path towards European Union membership. Those clusters group policy areas that a candidate country must address as part of the accession process. Budapest’s approval is politically important because EU enlargement decisions require support from member states, and Hungary had previously been a prominent obstacle to deeper EU engagement with Ukraine.
Von der Leyen’s trip will be her first visit to Hungary since 2024, when Budapest hosted a summit of the European Political Community. Her return, joined by Costa and Macron, gives the anniversary ceremony an added diplomatic dimension and provides a visible indication of the EU’s willingness to engage with Hungary’s new leadership.
Remembering the 1956 uprising
On 23 October 1956, students in Hungary began demonstrations against Soviet occupation. What started as a protest rapidly expanded into a nationwide uprising. The movement challenged the political order imposed after the Second World War and became a powerful symbol of Hungary’s demand for independence and self-determination.
The revolt was ultimately crushed by the Red Army. Its defeat left a deep mark on Hungarian society, while its legacy endured across Europe as an example of resistance to authoritarian control. The 70th anniversary will therefore be observed not simply as a national remembrance event, but as a moment with wider resonance for European leaders.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been invited to attend. Magyar has indicated, however, that the Ukrainian leader is unlikely to be present. The Hungarian prime minister said invitations were extended to all European leaders except Putin, while a complete participant list has yet to be made public.
Had Zelenskyy attended, his presence would have made the historical parallels especially direct. Ukraine is defending itself against Russia’s full-scale invasion, while the 1956 anniversary recalls Hungary’s own experience of resisting Soviet military power. Even without the Ukrainian president at the event, the war is likely to form part of the political context surrounding the commemoration.
A diplomatic signal for Europe
The Budapest visit may allow EU leaders to demonstrate support for Magyar’s effort to turn the page after the Orbán years. It also provides a setting in which to reiterate Europe’s backing for Ukraine and opposition to Russia’s war.
For Hungary, hosting the event places its recent political shift in a broader historical frame. The government’s effort to strengthen cooperation with European partners is being presented alongside the remembrance of a national uprising rooted in the pursuit of freedom from outside domination.
The ceremony will not by itself resolve every issue that has complicated Hungary’s dealings with EU institutions. Yet the attendance of the Commission president, the European Council president and the French president suggests that both Budapest and Brussels see value in rebuilding political trust.
Friday’s commemoration is therefore expected to serve two purposes: honouring those who rose up in 1956 and illustrating a new phase in Hungary’s place within Europe. As leaders gather in Budapest, the anniversary will offer a reminder that the questions raised by the uprising—security, sovereignty and the right of nations to choose their future—remain central to the continent’s political life.
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