Hungarian PM Reveals Details of Meeting with Zelenskyy: Discussed Potential Meeting in Berehove

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar disclosed details of his first meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a press conference following an EU summit. The brief talks took place on the sidelines of the summit, first reported by European Pravda.

Magyar emphasized that Ukraine received considerable attention at the summit due to Zelenskyy's personal presence. He acknowledged the conversation was short and reiterated his proposal to hold a meeting in Berehove, in the Zakarpattia region. However, Magyar's remarks indicate Zelenskyy declined the offer.

"We made it clear to each other that we are ready to meet in the near future. I again said that I would be pleased to meet in the wonderful town of Berehove," Magyar said. He added that a meeting is not crucial: "On the one hand, we have managed to reach a political understanding without one, and on the other hand, I would like to meet in Berehove, while he would prefer any other location."

Ukrainian sources confirmed to European Pravda that Kyiv does not consider Berehove an acceptable venue for a first full-fledged meeting with the Hungarian leader. Currently, other locations including Kyiv, Budapest, and Lviv are under discussion. Hungarian government representatives accompanying Magyar revealed that the Ukrainian side proposed Brussels, but Magyar rejected that option.

Earlier on June 18, Zelenskyy spoke with Magyar at the EU summit. Magyar previously boasted that he had "crossed out" the prospect of Ukraine's rapid EU accession from the summit conclusions.