Zelenskyy meets Hungary's Magyar for first time, discuss Ukraine's EU accession
Photo: Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (facebook.com/zelenskyy.official)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
This is the first meeting between Zelenskyy and Magyar since Magyar was elected prime minister.
According to a source in the Ukrainian delegation cited by the publication, the talks are being held one-on-one, with no delegations taking part.
One of the topics under discussion, the publication reports, is Ukraine's accession to the European Union and the closure of negotiating clusters 4 and 5 by the end of the year.
The two sides discussed bilateral relations and the rights of national minorities.
Magyar welcomed a political agreement aimed at strengthening the rights of ethnic Hungarians in Zakarpattia, as well as the adoption of an education law and the start of its implementation.
Magyar also thanked Ukraine's parliament for its decision officially recognizing that "crimes were committed in 1944 and 1946 during the deportation and forced labor imposed on ethnic Hungarians in Zakarpattia."
During the meeting, the two sides agreed to continue consultations at the ministerial level. Magyar expressed solidarity with Ukraine amid Russia's ongoing aggression and said he was ready to help facilitate a diplomatic settlement.
Magyar had announced the meeting with Zelenskyy in advance, saying that the talks would be held behind closed doors.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that Hungary could soon unblock Ukraine's EU integration process.
Despite public disputes, the two sides are negotiating closer cooperation and discussing key issues.
