Ukraine, Hungary launch expert-level talks on EU path, minority rights

Ukraine and Hungary have started expert-level bilateral negotiations, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

Sybiha announced the start of the talks and outlined the key issues under discussion, including bilateral relations, minority rights, and Ukraine’s path toward European Union membership, Caliber.Az reports.

This morning, @_OrbanAnita and I kicked off the Hungarian-Ukrainian expert-level consultations, together with @taraskachka.

In my opening remarks, I focused on three key issues: bilateral relations, minority rights, and Ukraine’s EU accession. We are united in our will to solve… pic.twitter.com/pgUXuoWWkz

— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) May 20, 2026

“This morning, Orban Anita and I kicked off the Hungarian-Ukrainian expert-level consultations, together with Taras Kachka

In my opening remarks, I focused on three key issues: bilateral relations, minority rights, and Ukraine’s EU accession. We are united in our will to solve problems and overcome challenges.

First, Ukraine wants to open a new, mutually beneficial chapter in our bilateral relations based on trust. We are in a momentum to achieve this. We appreciate Hungary’s clear condemnation of recent Russian strikes, including those hitting Zakarpattya. 

Our nations deserve to be good neighbors and work together toward a shared, peaceful, and European future.

Second, Ukraine takes national minority rights seriously and remains committed to ensuring them in accordance with European standards. We understand that this issue has a fundamental importance. 

And third, I proposed to view Ukraine’s EU accession as a strategic interest for Hungary, the opportunity to strengthen Hungarian national unity, and the best way to ensure the Hungarian minority’s rights. 

I emphasised that it is time to build a solid foundation to open the first EU negotiation cluster this May, and five more in June. 

With my Hungarian counterpart, we share the same goal: to seize this momentum and deliver tangible results. I also look forward to meeting my colleague in person tomorrow at the NATO ministerial in Sweden. 

I hope that today’s consultations will be constructive and demonstrate that Ukraine and Hungary are ready to move past the challenges of the past and shape our common future,” the Ukrainian top diplomat noted.

By Vafa Guliyeva