Hungarian Minority Demands Surface Ahead of Ukraine-EU Negotiations
Péter Magyar, set to become Hungary’s next prime minister, is pressing Kyiv to grant broader rights to the ethnic Hungarian minority before he will approve the launch of Ukraine’s European Union membership negotiations. These conditions closely mirror the list previously presented by Viktor Orbán’s government, as discussed during Magyar’s meeting with European Council President António Costa in Brussels on Wednesday.
The 11-point demand—originally handed to Ukrainian officials by Orbán in 2024—focuses on the rights of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine, particularly access to Hungarian-language education. Magyar stressed that 'the time has come for Ukraine to end restrictions that have been in place for over a decade.' He added that ethnic Hungarians in Transcarpathia must regain all their cultural, linguistic, administrative, and higher education rights to once again become equal and respected citizens of Ukraine.
Meetings and Next Steps
Magyar described his meeting with Costa as useful and constructive. Later that day, he also met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, where they discussed the EU budget, the bloc’s competitiveness, and last week’s informal summit of leaders in Cyprus. Magyar expressed interest in meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in June to improve conditions for the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia. However, Zelenskyy’s aide Dmytro Lytvyn noted that the president’s June schedule has not yet been finalized.
Magyar is set to be sworn in early next month. He traveled to Brussels to negotiate the release of approximately €10 billion ($11.7 billion) from EU recovery funds that were frozen due to concerns over rule-of-law issues and corruption during Orbán’s 16-year tenure. The EU’s post-pandemic aid program must be fully finalized by the end of August.
At last week’s summit in Cyprus, EU leaders indicated that the preliminary conditions for starting the first phase of negotiations with Ukraine have been met. This means the Hungarian minority’s demands could become a pivotal factor in the future trajectory of Ukraine-EU relations.
This situation underscores the significance of minority rights in the context of Ukraine’s European integration. The Hungarian minority’s conditions could substantially influence the negotiation process, as fulfilling them is critical for securing the Hungarian government’s backing for Ukraine’s EU accession. Given that EU financial support is also tied to political conditions, this could pose additional challenges for Ukrainian authorities in the realms of national policy and interethnic relations.
As Hungary's new prime minister prepares for crucial discussions in Brussels, the potential release of €10 billion in EU recovery funds is a pressing issue. This financial support is tied to Hungary's compliance with rule-of-law standards, which has been a contentious topic under Viktor Orbán's administration. For a deeper understanding of the implications of these negotiations, read more about the challenges facing Hungary in securing this vital financial aid here.