Volodymyr Zelensky could soon make an official visit to Budapest, according to Ukraine’s ambassador to Hungary, in what would mark a significant milestone in the rapidly improving relationship between the two neighbouring countries.
Zelensky’s Budapest visit under discussion
Speaking to Hungarian media, Ukraine’s ambassador in Budapest, Fegyir Sándor, confirmed that negotiations are underway regarding a possible visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the Hungarian capital in the near future. However, he stressed that no specific date has yet been set.
The reports emerged after Hungarian news portal Magyar Hang claimed that Zelensky may travel to Budapest soon. Responding to questions from the newspaper, the ambassador stated that discussions about a future visit are ongoing but declined to provide further details.
Relations improve after years of tensions
The prospect of a high-level meeting comes amid a dramatic thaw in Hungarian–Ukrainian relations following the formation of Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s government.
Under the previous administration led by Viktor Orbán, relations between Budapest and Kyiv had deteriorated significantly. Disputes centred on Ukraine’s treatment of the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia, as well as disagreements over Ukraine’s war with Russia and its ambitions to join the European Union.
The new Hungarian government has made clear that its support for Ukraine’s EU accession process depends on guarantees regarding the rights of the Hungarian minority living in Ukraine.
Breakthrough agreement on minority rights
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Magyar announced that Hungary and Ukraine had reached a comprehensive agreement on expanding the language, educational, cultural and political rights of the roughly 100,000-strong Hungarian community in Transcarpathia.
According to the Hungarian government, the agreement is the result of several weeks of intensive negotiations between Hungarian and Ukrainian experts. Representatives of Hungarian organisations and churches in Transcarpathia also participated in the talks.
Magyar said Ukraine’s commitments would be incorporated into the country’s official EU accession action plan. If these commitments are implemented, Hungary would support the opening of the first accession negotiation cluster with Ukraine.
Government spokeswoman Vanda Szondi later confirmed that Budapest had requested guarantees regarding the fulfilment of the agreed minority-rights measures. Ukraine has reportedly submitted a roadmap outlining the planned legislative changes.
While language-related reforms could be finalised by the end of 2027, progress on educational issues may already be achieved this year. An official European Union assessment is also expected to verify whether the agreed conditions have been incorporated into Ukrainian law.
Meeting between Magyar and Zelensky still not finalised
Despite speculation surrounding a possible summit, Hungarian government officials say no concrete arrangements have yet been made for a meeting between Magyar and Zelensky.
The prime minister has previously stated that he would welcome talks with the Ukrainian president once outstanding bilateral disputes had been resolved. He had suggested that such a meeting could take place in a Hungarian-majority town in Transcarpathia, such as Berehove (Beregszász).
For now, it remains unclear whether a future meeting between the two leaders would be held in Budapest, in Transcarpathia, or in both locations.
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