Zelenskyy poised to visit Budapest next week as Ukraine and Hungary move towards diplomatic reset

Zelenskyy poised to visit Budapest as Hungary ties warm

Poinews.com – Zelenskyy poised to visit Budapest next week as Ukraine and Hungary seek to move beyond years of strained relations. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been invited to events marking the 70th anniversary of Hungary’s 1956 Revolution on 23 October, though no final decision on the trip has been announced.

Ihor Zhovkva, deputy head of Zelenskyy’s office, confirmed that the Ukrainian president had received the invitation to attend the commemoration in Budapest.

“We have received an invitation. On 23 October, an event will be held to mark the 70th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution. The President of Ukraine has received an invitation to attend. We shall see.”

Brussels meeting could mark a diplomatic reset

A visit by Zelenskyy to Budapest would carry political significance as well as symbolic value. Ukraine and Hungary share a border, but disputes over minority rights and Hungary’s previous resistance to parts of Ukraine’s EU accession process have repeatedly damaged bilateral ties.

The potential trip follows plans for Zelenskyy and Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar to hold their first formal bilateral meeting during an EU summit in Brussels. The leaders are expected to speak on Friday morning after months of discussion about a suitable time and place for talks.

Kyiv sees the meeting as a chance to turn improving contacts into more regular cooperation. European integration is likely to be a central issue, but Ukrainian officials have said they want dialogue with Budapest to extend beyond accession negotiations.

“It really is time to sit down and talk.”

Minority-rights law eases tensions

The improved atmosphere followed Ukraine’s adoption of legislation designed to strengthen education rights for national minorities. The issue has been particularly important to Hungary because of the ethnic Hungarian community in Ukraine’s western Transcarpathia region.

Under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Hungary repeatedly used its veto power to slow Ukraine’s EU accession process, arguing that Kyiv needed to provide stronger protections for minority-language education. The disagreement became one of the most persistent barriers between the two countries.

Magyar’s government has taken a less confrontational approach while maintaining that Ukraine must meet its minority-rights obligations before further progress can be supported. Ukraine’s parliament approved the legislation on Monday, and Zelenskyy signed it shortly afterwards.

The European Union opened talks on two additional accession clusters the next day after Hungary withdrew its objections. Ukraine has now opened four of the six clusters required in the negotiating process.

“We have opened four clusters, with two still remaining, and we are confident that Hungary’s position will continue to be as constructive as it has been so far.”

More talks could follow in Kyiv or Transcarpathia

Ukraine has also indicated that Magyar would be welcome in Kyiv. Earlier discussions considered Berehove in Transcarpathia as a possible location for a meeting, reflecting the town’s sizeable ethnic Hungarian population and the local importance of minority-rights concerns.

Magyar has suggested that a later meeting in Berehove could take place this autumn. Speaking in Brussels, he described Ukraine’s new minority education law as a historic breakthrough that could help rebuild relations on a new foundation.

If Zelenskyy poised to visit Budapest makes the trip, it would offer both governments an opportunity to show that recent progress can lead to sustained political dialogue. Major EU decisions require member-state agreement, making a more constructive relationship with Hungary important for Ukraine’s European ambitions.

FAQ: Zelenskyy’s possible Budapest visit

When could Zelenskyy visit Budapest?

The possible visit is linked to events on 23 October commemorating the 70th anniversary of Hungary’s 1956 Revolution. Ukraine has not confirmed that Zelenskyy will attend.

Why are Ukraine and Hungary improving relations?

The two countries are seeking to resolve disputes over minority-language education and Ukraine’s EU membership path. Ukraine’s new minority-rights legislation helped create conditions for renewed dialogue.

What does this mean for Ukraine’s EU accession?

Hungary’s more constructive position allowed the EU to open talks on two additional accession clusters. Ukraine has opened four of the six clusters needed in the negotiating process.