Ukrainian and Hungarian Foreign Ministers hold talks in Hungary: What ministers discussed
Photo: Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and his Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó (Getty Images)
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met with his Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó in Budapest today, Monday, September 30, for one-on-one talks.
RBC-Ukraine reports on what the ministers discussed during the meeting.
According to Sybiha, he and Szijjártó covered the full range of bilateral cooperation issues - from sensitive and complex topics to new and promising areas.
Sybiha emphasized that it was important for him that his first foreign visits as Foreign Minister were to Ukraine’s closest Western neighbors.
"Today, my colleague Péter and I had a very frank one-on-one discussion, including on difficult issues, as well as meaningful consultations in an expanded format. It is crucial to develop Ukrainian-Hungarian relations based on mutual respect, understanding of each other's national interests, and recognizing Ukraine as a future member of the European Union and NATO," Sybiha said.
Topics discussed by the ministers
During the meeting, Sybiha and Szijjártó primarily discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine, ways to achieve peace, and the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Sybiha thanked Hungary for its support of Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the punishment of Russia for atrocities committed in Ukraine, including the crime of aggression.
He also briefed his Hungarian counterpart on the situation at the front and in the temporarily occupied territories.
"I am grateful to Hungary for supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, for the adoption of the EU's 14 sanctions packages against Russia, for the humanitarian aid you’ve mentioned and which we greatly appreciate in such difficult times. We will never forget it," he stated.
The Minister stressed the importance of Hungary’s involvement in Ukraine’s reconstruction projects, support for Ukrainians in Hungary, medical treatment of wounded soldiers, and training of military medics and explosives experts.
He emphasized that Ukraine confirms its bilateral and international commitments, and, together with Szijjártó, they agreed to continue cooperation in resolving all sensitive issues.
"I thanked Minister Péter Szijjártó for participating in the first Peace Summit and for joining its joint communiqué. We hope that Hungary, as a country that actively advocates for peace, will continue to support Ukrainian initiatives and help expedite their implementation," Sybiha highlighted.
Background
Today, September 30, Sybiha arrived in Hungary on an official visit and held talks with Szijjártó.
The dispute over the rights of Hungarians in Ukraine arose from the 2017 education law, which required a gradual shift to teaching in Ukrainian after primary school. About 150,000 Hungarians live in Zakarpattia, and 170 schools provide education in Hungarian. The Hungarian government expressed strong discontent, viewing the law as an assimilation attempt and blocking EU initiatives in support of Ukraine.
For more details on the reasons behind the complicated relations with Hungary, see the material by RBC-Ukraine.
