Hungary and Ukraine reset relations after minority education law clears path for EU talks

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Brussels on October 16, 2026, on the sidelines of an EU summit and agreed to place bilateral relations on a new footing. The meeting followed Ukraine’s passage on October 12 of legislation expanding schooling rights for national minorities, including the ethnic Hungarian community in Zakarpattia.

Hungary had blocked progress on two EU accession clusters for months, linking further steps to minority rights. After the law passed, Budapest dropped its objections. On October 13 the EU opened Cluster 2 (internal market) and Cluster 3 (competitiveness and inclusive growth). Four of six clusters are now open. Kyiv aims to open the remaining two by the end of 2026.

Magyar told Zelenskyy of Hungary’s solidarity with Ukraine against Russian aggression and offered diplomatic help toward a ceasefire. Zelenskyy thanked him for the opening of the clusters and said the two sides would exchange visits. Magyar described the education law as a first step toward restoring mutual trust. Further ministerial-level talks are planned, including on the situation of minorities in both countries.

The shift marks a clear change from the approach of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Warm relations between Budapest and Kyiv matter for the EU’s ability to sustain support for Ukraine and for the practical sequencing of accession negotiations. Moldova’s process remains linked to Ukraine’s in several respects.

Whether the remaining clusters open on schedule, and whether the minority arrangements hold in practice, will determine how quickly the reset translates into sustained cooperation.