Hungary Signals Readiness to Drop Opposition to Ukraine EU Accession Over Minority Rights Progress

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar indicated that he expects to finalize technical discussions with Kyiv this week regarding the rights of ethnic minorities.

These negotiations are a pivotal step toward clearing the path for the official start of Ukraine’s European Union membership talks, according to Bloomberg on June 2.

For months, Budapest has stalled the formal opening of these negotiations, maintaining that the treatment of the Hungarian minority in western Ukraine, particularly regarding access to education in their native language, must be addressed first.

Péter Magyar, who took office following his victory in the April general elections, has maintained a firm stance on the issue. While speaking alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Tuesday, the Prime Minister emphasized the necessity of these provisions.

"Our main expectation is the clarification of the rights of the Hungarian minority, its cultural, linguistic and other rights. This is truly a precondition," he said. Despite the ongoing hurdles, he expressed optimism regarding the diplomatic trajectory.

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"But I expect and hope that the deal is close to being reached, and we can start a new chapter in the relations between Ukraine and Hungary," he noted.

Magyar further indicated that should Ukraine implement the necessary changes, Budapest would drop its opposition to opening the EU accession talks.

The European Union is aiming to formalize a broader agreement by the middle of June. Success depends on the conclusion of the bilateral deal between Kyiv and Budapest, followed by several procedural steps.

While former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had previously presented a list of 11 requirements following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the current administration is now working through the final stages of these negotiations. Officials familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, suggested that the timing aligns with a significant financial development involving the European Commission.

The government of Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar officially ended its two-year blockade on the European Peace Facility, which unlocked €6.6 billion ($7.65 billion) in immediate funding to reimburse EU member states for weapons supplied to Ukraine during Russia’s full-scale invasion.

This decision marked a fundamental shift in Budapest’s foreign policy, as the administration moved away from the previous obstructionist stance of Viktor Orbán, which had left over €40 billion ($46.39 billion) in reimbursements pending.

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