Ukraine's FM meets with Hungarian counterpart and agrees on further contacts
Photo: Andrii Sybiha and Péter Szijjártó (Getty Images)
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met with Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó in Brussels on April 4. They agreed to maintain further contact between the two sides, according to Sybiha on Twitter (X).
"I met with Péter Szijjártó to discuss our bilateral agenda and reaffirm Ukraine’s interest in maintaining constructive dialogue with Hungary," the minister said.
According to Sybiha, he and Szijjártó discussed ways to resolve problematic issues in bilateral relations. Sybiha emphasized that Ukraine is interested in continuing a constructive dialogue with Hungary.
The ministers agreed to hold the next round of consultations between the Ukrainian and Hungarian teams next week.
"As two neighbours, both of our nations deserve to have reliable peace, security, and development," the Ukrainian Foreign Minister added.
It is worth noting that ahead of the meeting, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó complained that he had been scheduled to meet with Sybiha last week, but according to him, the meeting was canceled by the Ukrainian side.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed the intention to hold the meeting. Prior to this, Sybiha had spoken with Szijjártó on March 18 on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue conference in New Delhi.
Hungary’s position on Ukraine
Hungary has consistently opposed Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and has also blocked the provision of aid to Ukraine. Budapest obstructs the extension and expansion of EU sanctions against Russia by setting its own conditions and delaying decision-making.
In February 2025, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán published a list of 12 demands to Brussels, one of which was the rejection of Ukraine’s EU membership.
Such actions by Budapest have sparked discussions among EU member states about the possibility of making decisions regarding Ukraine without Hungary’s participation.
