According to recent reports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to visit Ukraine in the near future. The invitation comes amidst strained relations between the two countries, particularly over issues related to the rights of Ukraine’s ethnic Hungarian minority.
Despite Tensions, A Visit is Not Out of the Question
President Zelensky reportedly extended the invitation during a phone call with Viktor Orbán, in which the two leaders discussed a range of issues, including the conflict in eastern Ukraine and the need for continued dialogue and cooperation between their countries.
Despite the tensions between Hungary and Ukraine, Orbán’s office has indicated that he is open to the idea of visiting Ukraine in the not too distant future, and that he sees the invitation as a positive step towards improving relations between the two states.
The issue of the rights of Ukraine’s ethnic Hungarian minority has been a source of contention between Hungary and Ukraine for some time, with Hungary accusing Ukraine of discrimination and violating the rights of the minority group. Ukraine, on the other hand, has accused Hungary of meddling in its internal affairs and supporting separatist movements in the country.
The invitation to Orbán is seen by some as a sign that Ukraine is willing to engage in dialogue and find a compromise to solve the issues dividing the two countries. However, it remains to be seen whether Orbán’s visit will lead to any substantive progress, or whether the tensions between Hungary and Ukraine will continue to simmer.
A Mixed Record of Hungarian-Ukrainian Diplomacy in the Past Years
Over the past few years, there have been several high-profile visits by Hungarian officials to Ukraine, aimed at improving bilateral relations. In September 2018, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó met with his Ukrainian counterpart Pavlo Klimkin in Kyiv, where they discussed a range of issues, including the rights of Ukraine’s Hungarian minority.
Later that year, in November 2018, Hungarian President János Áder visited Ukraine, where he met with President Petro Poroshenko and discussed ways to strengthen economic and cultural ties between their countries. During his visit, Áder also visited the Hungarian community in the Transcarpathian region of Ukraine, where he expressed his support for their rights and urged the Ukrainian government to address their concerns.
In December 2019, Prime Minister Orbán travelled to Ukraine for talks with President Zelensky and other senior Ukrainian officials. The visit was seen as a sign of improving relations between Hungary and Ukraine, despite ongoing disagreements over the rights of the ethnic Hungarian minority. During the visit, Orbán emphasised the importance of respecting the rights of minorities and urged Ukraine to work towards a peaceful solution to the conflict in Eastern Ukraine.
Despite repeated and genuine efforts on the part of the Hungarian government to improve bilateral relations, Ukraine has not taken any substantial steps to make sure the rights of the Hungarian national minority are fully respected in the country. Ukraine has even accused Hungary of supporting separatist movements in the country. However, the recent invitation to Orbán by President Zelensky is a good sign, seen by some as a positive step towards finding a resolution to the contested issues.
