Hungarian PM ready to meet Zelenskyy after minority rights agreement

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar has expressed optimism that a long-running dispute with Ukraine over minority rights could soon be resolved, raising hopes for a breakthrough that would allow Kyiv to begin formal accession negotiations with the European Union.

Speaking in Berlin after a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Magyar said talks between Budapest and Kyiv on the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine were progressing positively and could reach a technical resolution in the coming days, Euronews reports.

“The negotiations are progressing encouragingly,” Magyar said. “I am ready to meet with Ukraine's president at the beginning of next week, if we manage to agree on these fundamental human rights.”

The issue of minority rights has remained a key obstacle in relations between Hungary and Ukraine, with Budapest blocking progress on Ukraine’s EU membership bid for the past two years. An agreement on the matter could lead Hungary to lift its veto and pave the way for the launch of formal accession talks as early as June 15 or 16, according to diplomats familiar with the discussions.

Magyar said he was “very optimistic” about the prospects for an agreement and suggested that guarantees from Kyiv on minority rights could be sufficient, indicating that constitutional amendments might not be required.

“Negotiations are currently underway between Ukraine and Hungary regarding the linguistic, cultural, and educational rights of the Hungarian minority living in Ukraine. So far, these talks have shown encouraging progress. We hope to conclude them this week at the expert level,” he said.

“For the minority, the ability to use its native language in kindergarten, at school, in public administration, or to defend its cultural rights is not an extra privilege. It is a fundamental human right, and we believe that a country seeking to begin accession negotiations with the European Union must respect these rights,” Magyar added.

The potential breakthrough is viewed as significant not only for Ukraine but also for Moldova, whose EU membership aspirations have largely been linked to Kyiv’s accession process. A draft document prepared ahead of the June 18 European Union leaders’ summit signals continued support for Ukraine’s path toward membership and suggests that progress could be achieved before the gathering.

European Council President António Costa and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos have reportedly been actively involved in efforts to advance the negotiations. EU officials remain hopeful that the first cluster of accession talks, covering issues such as the rule of law, financial oversight and human rights, can be opened in June.

Despite growing optimism, diplomats caution that final decisions will depend on continued technical work and a potential meeting between Magyar and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which could take place early next week if an agreement on minority rights is reached.

By Vafa Guliyeva