Ukraine Urges Hungary to Restore Good-Neighbourly Conduct
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on Hungary to abandon its confrontational rhetoric and return to constructive dialogue, as diplomatic tensions between the two neighbors intensify, The Gaze reports.
In a public statement on June 11, MFA spokesperson Heorhii Tykhiy addressed recent accusations from Hungarian officials and emphasized that Ukraine remains committed to peace.
“Ukraine proposes a full and unconditional ceasefire, which Russia rejects and instead makes every effort to continue the war and killing,” Tykhiy stated. He pointed out Hungary’s silence in the face of Russia’s refusal to end its aggression: “We don’t see Hungary’s demands that Russia accept a ceasefire. The official Budapest is silent on this. Or rather it continues to absurdly accuse Ukraine of refusing to make peace.”
The Ukrainian spokesperson criticized what he described as an increasingly hostile stance from Budapest: “The Hungarian government’s communication line, which demonises Ukraine and President Zelenskyy, has gone off the rails. The Hungarian authorities remain silent when principled action is required, and they level baseless accusations when seeking common ground is required.”
Tykhiy also responded to the latest Hungarian reaction to Ukrainian outreach to Hungarian media: “It’s not surprising that in such circumstances, a simple address by the Ukrainian side to Hungarian media elicits such nervous, escalatory, and simply unfair accusations from Hungarian authorities.”
Despite the current diplomatic strain, Ukraine reiterated its commitment to respectful and cooperative relations. “We are confident that good-neighbourly relations between Ukraine and Hungary are critical for both countries. We take Hungary’s requests for the rights and opportunities of its national minority in Ukraine seriously, and we have repeatedly demonstrated a constructive and good-neighborly attitude in this and other areas,” Tykhiy added.
He concluded by stressing the need for reciprocity: “Good-neighbourliness, however, must be mutual. The Hungarian authorities’ bet on searching for imaginary enemies will pass one day, but our two countries’ good-neighbourly relations will endure.”
As The Gaze previously reported, Ukraine is fully prepared to begin formal accession negotiations with the European Union, including the opening of negotiating clusters. However, Hungary continues to block the start of negotiations, citing political concerns and potential burdens on both the EU and Hungary itself. The Hungarian government has maintained this position since the beginning of 2025.