Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has revealed that he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have agreed to meet in the near future, with the talks potentially taking place in either Budapest or Kyiv before the two leaders travel together to Transcarpathia.
Speaking in a Facebook video ahead of the second day’s plenary session at the NATO summit in Ankara, Magyar said:
“Yesterday I spoke with President Zelensky, and we agreed that we will meet sometime in the near future in Budapest or Kyiv, and afterwards travel together to Berehove in Transcarpathia.”
Meeting follows minority rights agreement
The prospect of a high-level Hungarian-Ukrainian meeting is not new. Discussions have been progressing since the Tisza-led government, formed after the 12 April general election, reached an agreement with Ukraine on protecting the rights of the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia.
The agreement guarantees the continuation of Hungarian-language education, as well as the use of Hungarian national symbols and the Hungarian language in official settings in areas with significant Hungarian populations.
What is new, however, is the proposed sequence of events. Magyar had previously suggested Berehove (Beregszász), a town with a large ethnic Hungarian population, as the primary venue for the meeting. He now says the leaders would first hold formal talks in Budapest or Kyiv before travelling together to Transcarpathia. No date for the visit has yet been announced.
Hungary maintains position on Ukraine support
Magyar also addressed a declaration being prepared at the NATO summit concerning a proposed EUR 70 billion financial support package for Ukraine. He noted that participation in the initiative would remain voluntary for member states, similar to the EU loan package that Hungary and Slovakia chose not to join.
The prime minister reiterated that Hungary will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine but will not send weapons, troops or any other form of military support.
“Hungary will continue to support Ukraine through humanitarian means, but it will not provide weapons, troops or any military assistance,” he said.
At the same time, Magyar stressed that Hungary remains committed to a strong and united NATO. “We are interested in a unified and strong NATO. Hungary will be a constructive and reliable ally within the Alliance,” he added.
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Talks on Montenegro’s EU membership
The Ankara summit marks Magyar’s first NATO summit as Hungary’s prime minister. Alongside the plenary sessions, he held several bilateral meetings, including talks with the Prime Minister of Montenegro.
Magyar said he hopes the Western Balkan country, which has a population of around 600,000, could join the European Union as early as next year. He added that Hungary continues to support EU enlargement in the Western Balkans and has significant business investments across the region.
