Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is unlikely to visit Budapest later this month, despite an invitation to attend ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of Hungary’s 1956 Revolution.
The uncertainty follows a meeting between the two leaders at an EU summit in Brussels, where they discussed renewed political contacts, minority issues and the future of relations between Hungary and Ukraine.
What happened between Magyar and Zelenskyy?
More than 100 politicians have been invited to official ceremonies in Budapest on 23 October, commemorating the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Zelenskyy was among those invited, while Russian President Vladimir Putin was not.
However, in an interview published by 444.hu on Saturday, Magyar said he did not expect the Ukrainian president to attend. The comments indicate that the invitation remains open, but that no confirmed visit has been announced.
The possible attendance had been raised earlier in the week by Ihor Zhovkva, Ukraine’s deputy chief of staff. He confirmed that Zelenskyy had received an invitation and said the Ukrainian side would decide whether he would take part.
Why the proposed visit matters for Hungary and Ukraine
A meeting in Budapest would carry significance beyond the anniversary ceremony. Relations between Kyiv and Budapest have been strained for years, with disputes over minority rights and Hungary’s approach to Ukraine’s potential European Union membership repeatedly affecting bilateral ties.
At the Brussels summit, Magyar and Zelenskyy indicated that they could meet again before the end of the year. Magyar outlined two possible arrangements:
- He could travel to Kyiv before continuing to Beregszász.
- Zelenskyy could travel to Budapest before visiting Beregszász.
Beregszász, known in Ukrainian as Berehove, is located in Ukraine’s Zakarpattia region, which has a significant ethnic Hungarian community. The area has been central to discussions about minority rights between the two countries.
New talks planned at ministerial level
Following the Brussels meeting, Magyar said the two sides had agreed to continue discussions through their ministers. The talks are expected to focus particularly on the treatment and rights of minorities in Hungary and Ukraine.
The Hungarian prime minister also said that both governments recognised an interest in creating a new basis for political and economic relations. His comments suggest an attempt to move away from repeated diplomatic disputes and establish more regular dialogue.
That process remains at an early stage. A planned visit by Zelenskyy would not, by itself, resolve the disagreements between Kyiv and Budapest. It could nevertheless provide an opportunity for direct talks at a politically important moment.
Ukraine’s EU membership remains a wider issue
The relationship between Hungary and Ukraine has wider European implications because Budapest’s position has repeatedly influenced discussions about Ukraine’s path towards EU membership.
Ukraine’s accession process requires agreement among EU member states at several stages. As a result, bilateral disputes between a candidate country and an EU member state can affect the pace and political environment of enlargement discussions.
The proposed Budapest invitation therefore has both symbolic and practical importance. The 1956 anniversary links Hungary’s national history with the broader European memory of resistance to Soviet domination, while a meeting with Zelenskyy could signal a willingness to improve relations during Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
What happens next?
There is no confirmed indication that Zelenskyy will attend the 23 October ceremonies. The next steps are likely to involve further diplomatic coordination between the two governments and ministerial-level discussions on minority rights and bilateral relations.
The two leaders may also revisit plans for a meeting in Budapest, Kyiv or Beregszász later this year. Any such meeting would be closely watched in Brussels because of its potential relevance to EU-Ukraine relations and the wider enlargement debate.
Conclusion
Hungary’s Péter Magyar has said Volodymyr Zelenskyy is unlikely to attend the 23 October commemorations in Budapest, despite receiving an invitation. The uncertainty does not end the recent diplomatic opening: both sides have indicated that ministerial talks will continue, with minority rights and a possible new political and economic relationship on the agenda.
