Zelenskyy poised for Budapest visit amid Ukraine-Hungary reset

In an exclusive interview with Euronews, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s deputy chief of staff confirmed that the Ukrainian leader has been invited to Budapest on 23 October, as Zelenskyy and Magyar are set for their first formal bilateral meeting in Brussels.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to visit Budapest next week after being invited to attend events marking the 70th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution, his deputy chief of staff, Ihor Zhovkva, confirmed to Euronews in an exclusive interview.

The planned visit, which has yet to be confirmed, would come amid efforts to reset relations between Kyiv and Budapest after years of diplomatic disputes that have repeatedly obstructed Ukraine’s path towards EU membership.

“We have received an invitation. On 23 October, an event will be held to mark the 70th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution,” Zhovkva said when asked whether Zelenskyy had been invited to the Hungarian capital.

“The President of Ukraine has received an invitation to attend. We shall see.”

The invitation comes as Zelenskyy and Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar prepare to hold their first formal bilateral meeting on Friday morning on the sidelines of the EU summit in Brussels, following months of talks over the timing and location of their encounter.

Kyiv sees the meeting as an opportunity to turn the recent diplomatic opening into concrete progress between the two neighbouring countries.

“Our expectations are very positive,” Zhovkva told Euronews, adding that Kyiv was grateful for Hungary’s support in advancing Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations.

The diplomatic opening follows a breakthrough earlier this week, when Ukraine adopted legislation strengthening educational rights for national minorities,addressing a longstandingrian minority in Ukraine’s western Transcarpathia region

Under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the dispute became one of the main obstacles to Ukraine’s EU accession process, with Budapest using its veto to block progress in negotiations.

Magyar’s government has adopted a more constructive approach, although it has continued to insist that Kyiv fulfil its commitments on minority rights before further steps towards membership can proceed.

On Monday, Ukraine’s parliament approved the new legislation, which Zelenskyy subsequently signed into law. The following day, the EU opened negotiations on two additional accession clusters after Hungary dropped its objections, bringing the total to four out of six.

“We have opened four clusters, with two still remaining, and we are confident that Hungary’s position will continue to be as constructive as it has been so far,” Zhovkva said.

He added that European integration would be a central subject of the Brussels meeting, but stressed that Kyiv wanted to broaden the relationship beyond the politically sensitive question of EU membership.

“It really is time to sit down and talk,” he said.

Kyiv has also expressed openness to hosting Magyar in the Ukrainian capital, following earlier discussions about meeting in Berehove, a town in Transcarpathia with a sizeable ethnic Hungarian community.

“He has always been a very welcome guest in Kyiv, and we would certainly welcome such a meeting in the Ukrainian capital,” Zhovkva said, adding that other locations in Ukraine were also possible.

Magyar, speaking in Brussels on Thursday, described Ukraine’s minority education legislation as a historic breakthrough and an opportunity to place bilateral relations on a new footing. He also raised the possibility of a subsequent meeting in Berehove later this autumn.

A visit to Budapest on 23 October would carry particular historical significance, marking 70 years since the outbreak of Hungary’s 1956 uprising against Soviet rule, which was ultimately crushed by Soviet forces.

Zelenskyy’s presence at the commemorations could offer a symbolic opportunity for the two neighbours to demonstrate their commitment to rebuilding relations. Euronews has reached out to the Hungarian government for comments. AND WHAT DID THEY SAY?

Macron, Costa expected to take part in the commemoration

Other European leaders are also expected to join the commemoration next week. French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed his participation while European Council President António Costa will likely attend, according to his spokesperson

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola have also been invited, but their participation has not yet been confirmed.

On 23 October 1956, Hungarian students took to the streets to protest against Soviet occupation. The demonstrations quickly grew into a popular uprising, which was later crushed by the Red Army. Zelenskyy’s visit could also draw parallels with Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The commemoration could also offer European leaders an opportunity to signal support for Magyar, who ousted Viktor Orbán and has worked to improve Hungary’s relations with the EU after years of tensions under his predecessor.

Source: www.euronews.com