Hungary Voices Concerns Over Ukrainian Minority Rights Amidst EU Accession Talks

Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Péter Szijjártó, stated on Facebook on March 22, following a phone call with Austrian Foreign Minister Beatrix Meinl-Reisinger, that the continuous infringement of the Hungarian minority's rights in Zakarpattia prevents progress in negotiations regarding Ukraine's EU accession. Szijjártó emphasized that the Ukrainian government has not restored the rights taken from the Hungarian community in Zakarpattia since 2015, which contradicts European values and principles. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced on March 20 his intention to conduct a national consultation on Ukraine's EU membership. He stated, "Veto! Hold it back! We will ask the Hungarian people about Ukraine's EU membership" on social media platform X. Hungary had previously supported a joint declaration by the heads of state and government of all 27 EU countries expressing support for Kyiv.