Zelensky Meets Hungarian PM Magyar for the First Time, Both Call Talks Positive

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar for the first time on Friday in Brussels, on the sidelines of a European summit. The meeting matters because Hungary is a European Union member whose consent is needed for Ukraine's progress toward EU membership, and relations between the two countries had been strained.

Magyar replaced the Kremlin-friendly Viktor Orbán as prime minister in the spring. Since then, Kyiv and Budapest have been trying to restore ties that were tense during Orbán's time in office.

What the leaders said afterwards

Zelensky told reporters the meeting went very well and that the sides discussed relations, the economy and logistics, areas he said matter to both countries. On the platform X, he added that the two sides agreed to resume joint work at various levels and to exchange visits.

Magyar wrote on Facebook that Hungary regards as a first step toward restoring mutual trust the law on education for national minorities passed by Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, and the fact that Ukraine began implementing it immediately. Budapest had long voiced concerns over the rights of the ethnic Hungarian minority in western Ukraine. After the law was adopted, Hungary agreed to let the EU open new topics in Ukraine's accession talks.

He also thanked Ukraine for a resolution its parliament adopted in September, which acknowledged that crimes were committed against Transcarpathian Hungarians between 1944 and 1946, including forced labour and mass deportations.

Agreements going forward

Magyar said the two leaders agreed to continue consultations at ministerial level and to pay particular attention to improving the situation of minorities. He expressed solidarity with Ukraine over Russia's aggression and said Hungary is ready to help through all possible diplomatic means to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible and a lasting peace.

According to an informed source, the conversation lasted about 30 minutes, considerably longer than Hungary had planned.