Hungary Says It Has Deal With Ukraine on Minority Rights, Ties It to EU Accession Talks

The Hungarian government had reached a “comprehensive agreement” with Ukraine on expanding the rights of the ethnic Hungarian minority, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said on Wednesday.

According to Magyar, his government had achieved more in these three weeks than what former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán and his team were able to do in 10 years. 

“I am delighted to be able to announce on the eve of National Unity Day that the Ukrainian government has undertaken to incorporate the agreed measures into its legislation in the near future, thereby granting our compatriots in Transcarpathia much broader educational, cultural, language and political rights than they have had up to now.” 

According to Reuters, Ukraine ​agreed to restore a system ⁠of schools for ethnic minorities, where children will be able to use their native language in all school settings, including during the exams. Ethnic Hungarian students will also be able to ​use the Hungarian national symbols and flags during celebrations.

“100,000 Hungarians will get back their fundamental rights,” Magyar said, adding that Ukraine agreed to put the terms of this agreement in legislation, and also in its action plan for its EU ⁠accession ​talks.“If this happens, the Hungarian government will support the opening of the first negotiating cluster for Ukraine’s accession.” 

Other Topics of Interest

Zelensky Says NATO, PURL Guarantee, Key in Defeating Russia’s ‘Final Argument’ – Ballistic Missiles

President Volodymyr Zelensky said ballistic missiles have become Russia’s “final argument” in its war against Ukraine and expressed the need for stronger air defenses and long-term security financing. He highlighted contributions to the PURL program, joint weapons production and talks with NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte on durable financial guarantees, adding that timely partner support could push Moscow towards a “fair and dignified peace.”

Minority deals unlock path to EU talks

Up until this point, the fate of Zakarpattia’s ethnic Hungarian community has been a persistent flashpoint in relations between Kyiv and Budapest.

Earlier, Hungary had cited concerns about the minority’s welfare as grounds for blocking Ukraine’s closer integration with the EU and NATO, with disputes over language rights, conscription, and dual citizenship.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the question of opening clusters for Ukraine will be discussed at the European Council summit on June 18-19.

At the same time, Politico reported that EU governments plan to open the first negotiating “cluster” at an intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg on June 15. This would be the first formal step in detailed talks on political, legal and economic reforms required before Ukraine’s accession.

“Negotiations are ongoing. No agreement has been reached,” said an official speaking on condition of unanimity. Although “no decision” had yet been formally made, Magyar’s new leadership has privately signaled openness on lifting the veto for Ukraine and Moldova.