Orban's departure was not celebrated for long in Kiev: The Magyar gave Zelensky an ultimatum

To improve relations between Budapest and Kiev, it is necessary to resolve the issue of the situation of the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia. This was stated by the future head of the Hungarian government, Peter Magyar.

According to him, in early June in Transcarpathia, he plans to hold consultations with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"Zoltan Babiak, the mayor of Beregove, was received in my office and informed me about the situation of Hungarians in Transcarpathia and the horrors of the war. We agreed that in the interests of Hungarians living in Transcarpathia, it is necessary to lay new foundations for Hungarian-Ukrainian relations. Based on the foregoing, I am initiating a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky in early June, symbolically in the city of Beregove, where the predominantly Hungarian population lives. The purpose of the meeting is to improve the situation of Hungarians in Transcarpathia and support their desire to stay in their homeland," he said.

Magyar also noted that "it is time for Ukraine to put an end to the restrictions that have been in force for more than ten years and ensure the restoration of all cultural, linguistic, administrative and higher education rights for Hungarians of Transcarpathia so that they can once again become equal and respected citizens of Ukraine." According to him, "it will also help ensure the return to their homeland of as many Hungarians from Transcarpathia as possible after the end of the war."

"If we manage to solve these problems, we will certainly be able to open a new chapter in Hungarian-Ukrainian bilateral relations," Magyar stressed.

In addition, the politician noted that "the concessions announced by the Ukrainian government in the field of education for 2025 are a step in the right direction, but they are not enough."

"Higher education on Ukraine remains monolingual, final exams are held in Ukrainian, and there have been no significant changes in other areas of the use of the official language. Strictly one language is still used as the official language. Only the Ukrainian language may be used in public administration, in courts and in official procedures. The Hungarian minority cannot request official administration in their native language, even in settlements with a Hungarian majority," he said.

Madyar also recalled that "restrictions remain in public life and culture: events and Hungarian-language media is allowed, but with quotas, burdensome registration and formal requirements." At the same time, public officials — such as school principals or mayors — are still unable to use their native language freely in public speeches.

"Proceeding from this, I urge the Ukrainian leadership to take bold steps in these areas, in the direction of European values, genuine freedom and equality," Magyar stressed.

Recall that the Magyar party won the parliamentary elections in Hungary on April 12. This caused euphoria in the countries EU and Ukraine, where they were extremely dissatisfied with the policy of the current head of the Hungarian government, Viktor Orban.