Hungary’s new government is seeking to repair relations with the European Union after years of conflict over rule-of-law standards, corruption concerns and policy disagreements. Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s April election victory has opened the door to closer engagement with Brussels, including an agreement on the release of €16.4 billion in previously blocked EU funds.
However, the reset is not complete. Disputes over migration and the rights of sexual minorities remain, while Hungary’s decision to lift its veto on opening EU accession negotiation clusters for Ukraine has reshaped its relationship with other member states.
A change in Hungary’s relationship with Brussels
The latest EU developments involving Hungary follow a period of sustained tension under the previous government led by Viktor Orbán. The European Union had withheld funding because of concerns linked to the rule of law and corruption safeguards.
After Péter Magyar won a landslide victory in Hungary’s parliamentary election in April, Brussels adopted a more positive tone towards the new administration. In May, Magyar reached an agreement with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen concerning the release of €16.4 billion in blocked funds.
The agreement represents a significant political signal, but it does not mean that every disagreement between Hungary and the EU has disappeared. Funding arrangements remain linked to the conditions and safeguards set by the European Union, and the wider relationship will depend on how the new government implements its commitments.
Why the blocked funds matter
EU funding is central to the debate over Hungary’s relationship with the bloc. The dispute has involved concerns about institutional checks and balances, public procurement and anti-corruption protections. The release of funds therefore has both a financial and political dimension.
For Hungary, access to European funding can support public investment and strengthen confidence in its economic relationship with the single market. For EU institutions, the issue is also about ensuring that common funds are protected and that member states meet agreed standards.
Hungary’s position on Ukraine accession talks
A second major development has involved Ukraine’s path towards EU membership. Hungary has lifted its veto on opening accession negotiation clusters for Ukraine, allowing that process to move forward.
This is an important change in the EU’s enlargement debate. It does not mean that Ukraine has joined the European Union, nor does it complete the accession process. EU membership requires negotiations across a wide range of policy areas, followed by further political decisions and ratification procedures.
Hungary’s decision nevertheless removes a significant obstacle and indicates a willingness by the new government to cooperate with Brussels on a major foreign-policy issue. It also creates space for closer contact between Kyiv and Budapest, including a possible meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Magyar.
What remains unresolved
The improvement in relations has not settled every policy disagreement. Migration remains a sensitive issue across the European Union, particularly concerning responsibility for external borders, asylum procedures and solidarity between member states.
The rights of sexual minorities are another unresolved area. EU institutions and national governments have previously disagreed over legislation and policies in this field, making it a continuing test for any Hungarian government seeking a closer relationship with Brussels.
These disputes could affect how quickly the political reset develops. Improved cooperation in one area does not automatically resolve disagreements in another, particularly when issues involve EU legal obligations and fundamental rights.
Is Hungary fully back at the heart of the EU?
The answer depends on how the new government’s political commitments translate into decisions. The agreement on funding and the removal of Hungary’s veto on Ukraine accession talks suggest a clear change in tone. They also indicate that Budapest is prepared to engage more constructively with EU institutions.
Yet the relationship should be viewed as a process rather than a completed settlement. The European Commission will continue to assess the conditions attached to funding, while broader debates over migration and minority rights remain politically significant.
Hungary’s position will also matter beyond its national borders. Its approach can influence EU unity on enlargement, relations with Ukraine and the ability of member states to reach agreement on contentious issues. A more cooperative Budapest could make negotiations easier, but unresolved disputes may still return to the centre of EU politics.
What happens next?
The next stage will depend on implementation and continued dialogue between Hungary and EU institutions. Key issues to watch include:
- How the €16.4 billion funding agreement is applied and monitored.
- Whether Hungary continues to support progress in Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations.
- How the new government approaches migration and asylum policy.
- Whether disputes concerning the rights of sexual minorities lead to further EU scrutiny.
- Whether political cooperation develops into a broader institutional reset.
The debate has been highlighted by The Ring, Euronews’ weekly discussion programme, in a Budapest edition examining whether Magyar has genuinely changed Hungary’s relationship with the European Union. Participants included Tibor Navracsics, a former minister in Viktor Orbán’s government and former EU commissioner, and István Szent-Iványi, a foreign-policy expert and former ambassador.
Conclusion
Hungary and the EU have clearly moved towards a more constructive relationship under Prime Minister Péter Magyar, with €16.4 billion in blocked funds addressed and Hungary’s veto on Ukraine accession negotiation clusters lifted. But this is not yet a final settlement. The durability of the reset will depend on funding safeguards, cooperation on Ukraine and the government’s handling of migration and minority rights. For now, the latest EU developments point to a new opening between Budapest and Brussels, while leaving important disputes unresolved.
