Zelenskyy's office lifts the veil of topics for potential talks with Orban
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Viktor Orban (Getty Images)
Possible talks between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, may cover a wide range of bilateral relations, from the economy to national minorities issues, says the Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ihor Zhovkva.
"(Talks will be - Ed.) Regarding our bilateral relations. And this is a broad spectrum that is not limited to national minorities issue," he said, responding to questions about what the negotiations might entail.
Zhovkva reminded that Ukraine had adopted a framework law on national minorities following the recommendations of the European Commission. Subsequently, at the request of the Venice Commission, all recommendations were implemented except one.
"We can talk about the economy, we can talk about transit between neighboring states. We will certainly prepare for this visit, and teams will work. There is nothing better in diplomacy than face-to-face negotiations," Zhovkva said.
Hungary's position
Last week, the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, accepted an invitation from the leader of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for a bilateral meeting.
The meeting between Orban and Zelenskyy will be the first official bilateral meeting between the two leaders since the beginning of the conflict.
Earlier, Hungary had threatened to block Ukraine's accession to the EU. However, on December 14, during the EU summit, leaders decided to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated last week that he had never discussed a ceasefire with the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban.
Zelenskyy said he had questions for Orban related to Hungary's blocking of Ukraine's EU accession. During a meeting in Argentina, President Zelenskyy asked Viktor Orban to name at least one reason for blocking Ukraine's accession to the EU.
