Magyar stated that over 100,000 Hungarians live in Zakarpattia "without basic human rights"
Kyiv • UNN
Péter Magyar demands rights for the Hungarian minority for the sake of new relations. This is a mandatory condition for the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU.
Hungary is ready to open a new chapter in relations with Ukraine, but first the Hungarian minority must be granted basic rights, stated the new Prime Minister of Hungary, Péter Magyar, in an interview with Rzeczpospolita, UNN reports.
Details
"Every country, including Ukraine, has the right and duty to defend its territorial integrity and independence. However, our situation in Hungary is unique. We have a Hungarian minority living in Ukraine that lacks basic rights. In Central Europe in 2026! We are talking about the right to language, culture, and administrative autonomy. We have over 100,000 Hungarians living in Transcarpathia without basic human rights," Magyar noted in response to a question about whether Ukrainians are perceived in Hungary as they are in Poland, where for Poles, Ukrainians are heroes stopping the Russian offensive.
However, our government is ready to open a new chapter in relations with Ukraine. But first, our minority must receive these basic rights
"The lives of our compatriots in a country that has been at war for five years are already very difficult. We have agreed with the Ukrainians to start technical negotiations on this issue," he indicated.
We have outlined our position in 11 points. Negotiations have begun. We will see how they develop. If they yield results, we will be able to conduct negotiations at a higher level. And if these negotiations prove successful, I will meet with President Zelenskyy in one of the cities of Transcarpathia to open a new chapter in our relations
Magyar again stated that he could meet with Zelenskyy in Zakarpattia20.05.26, 15:59 • 3114 views
When asked to clarify if this is a condition for Hungary to agree to start EU accession negotiations with Ukraine, Magyar replied:
This is an indispensable condition! The first chapter of accession negotiations, after all, concerns the rule of law and democracy. If you want to join the European club, you must respect these rights. This is not something difficult or complex