What happened? Hungary postpones minority rights talks with Ukraine at last minute
Planned minority rights consultations between Hungary and Ukraine—scheduled for Monday, 12 May in Uzhhorod (Ungvár)—were postponed at the last minute by the Hungarian side, according to Ukrainian media reports.
The meeting, which was to be held between expert delegations of both countries, aimed to discuss the implementation of a previously agreed 11-point proposal submitted by Hungary regarding the rights of national minorities in Ukraine. These discussions were part of broader diplomatic efforts to restore trust and cooperation between the two neighbours amid tensions surrounding the treatment of the Hungarian minority in western Ukraine.
Interfax Ukraine reported that the Ukrainian delegation had already arrived in Uzhhorod when they were informed of the cancellation by Hungary. The consultations were intended to mark the beginning of regular negotiations on this sensitive issue.
The postponement comes just two weeks after Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Olha Stefanishyna, visited Budapest. During her meeting with Hungarian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Levente Magyar, Stefanishyna reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to implementing the national minorities plan in line with Hungarian concerns. “We have reached the point of regulating all 11 items. Our goal is to ensure that the Ukrainian language environment can develop freely while guaranteeing the rights of national minorities,” she said.
Despite the setback, Stefanishyna emphasised that dialogue must continue. “I believe the talks should go on,” she stated in a comment shared by Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice on Telegram.
The Hungarian government has yet to publicly explain the reason for the postponement.
Read more about Ukraine-Hungary relations HERE.
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