Key facts
- Hungary has renewed its blockade of Ukraine's EU accession progress over minority rights.
- Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he does not see significant obstacles between Kyiv and Budapest on minority issues.
- Budapest wants Kyiv to implement additional guarantees for the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine.
- Ukraine hopes to open at least two additional EU accession clusters before October and the remaining two by the end of the year.
Ukraine's path toward European Union membership has encountered another roadblock as Hungary has resumed blocking progress on accession clusters, citing concerns over the rights of the Hungarian minority. President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking on September 18, expressed optimism that the issues are not significant and that Hungary will unblock the remaining reforms once it perceives "political will" from Ukraine.
Budapest's primary demand is for Kyiv to enact additional guarantees for its minority population, in line with an agreement reached over the summer. The Ukrainian parliament is expected to adopt a relevant law, according to Zelensky. Ukraine aims to open at least two more accession clusters before October and complete the remaining two by year-end.
Hungary's current Prime Minister, Peter Magyar, has taken a more accommodating approach to Ukraine's EU aspirations compared to his predecessor, Viktor Orban. Following an agreement on minority rights, Hungary had previously lifted its veto, allowing Ukraine to open its initial accession clusters focused on fundamentals and external relations. However, Magyar has emphasized that Ukraine must fulfill all necessary reforms without shortcuts.
Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Vsevolod Chentsov, indicated in early September that progress has been made on minority rights reforms, with a bill being prepared. The exact timeline for the legislation's introduction and parliamentary vote remains uncertain, as the Ukrainian parliament has faced increasing difficulties in passing key reform legislation linked to EU accession and foreign aid.