The diplomatic deadlock between Kyiv and Budapest may be overcome, but only under strict conditions. The Hungarian government has outlined a specific scenario under which a personal dialogue between Prime Minister Péter Madjar and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could become possible. The date of the meeting has not yet been set, and the key to scheduling it lies in the realm of minority rights.
The Hungarian side has stopped avoiding direct formulations: for the resumption of full-fledged dialogue, Ukraine must provide Hungarians living on its territory with the opportunity to fully realize their rights. This demand has become the central element of Budapest’s position. While the parties exchange views at the technical level, only visible progress in these consultations will open the way for a meeting of leaders.
Insiders report that the potential venue for the historic meeting could be Beregove in Zakarpattia — a region with a historically established Hungarian population. Such a choice of venue symbolically underscores the importance of the minority issue on the agenda.
The process has already been launched: expert consultations began on May 20. During more than six hours of the first round, the parties discussed good neighborly relations and Ukraine’s path to the EU. The Head of Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, Andriy Sybyga, confirmed that negotiation teams have been formed and are ready to work. Now everything depends on how quickly a compromise can be found on “internal” issues, which for Hungary have become a matter of national security.
