Key Moments From Ukrainian and Hungarian Foreign Ministers Bilateral Talks in Budapest

Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, has conducted a meeting in Budapest with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Péter Szijjártó on September 30.

“The main issue we discussed in today’s meetings was Russia’s unprovoked full-scale war against Ukraine and the steps needed to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace. This includes restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and holding Russia accountable for the atrocities it has committed, including the crime of aggression,” Sybiha said.

“I briefed my Hungarian counterpart on the situation at the front and in the temporarily occupied territories. I expressed gratitude to Hungary for its support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the approval of 14 EU sanctions packages against Russia, and the humanitarian aid provided to our country.”

“We are pleased with the opening of the first bilingual Ukrainian-Hungarian school for Ukrainian children in Hungary, which was made possible through agreements reached between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in July of this year. I visited the school this morning and am confident it will play a key role in preserving Ukrainian identity, helping children adapt to a foreign environment while staying connected to their cultural roots, and fostering mutual understanding between Ukraine and Hungary,” Sybiha stated.

“Hungarians in Ukraine are an integral and equal part of the Ukrainian political nation, serving as an important bridge of understanding between our two countries.”

“I emphasized that Ukraine reaffirms its bilateral and international commitments to ensuring the rights of individuals belonging to the Hungarian national community. The Minister and I noted positive progress in addressing this issue and agreed on continued cooperation to reach a consensus on all sensitive matters,” Sybiha said.

“For Ukraine, one of the top priorities is EU integration. A major milestone in this regard has been the initiation of accession negotiations. We rely on Hungary’s continued support throughout this process, both during its current EU presidency and beyond. Specifically, we seek Hungary’s backing in opening multiple negotiation clusters in parallel.”

“We continue to work actively on expanding the legal framework for cooperation, which will strengthen ties and create new opportunities for collaboration in areas of mutual interest. I thank our Hungarian partners for their shared commitment to constructive dialogue and for pursuing a pragmatic and predictable neighborly policy,” Sybiha concluded.