Hungary’s New PM Unblocks €16 Billion in EU Funds: What This Means for Ukraine.

Hungarian Prime Minister’s Visit to Brussels

According to UATV: On May 29, Hungary’s new Prime Minister, Peter Magyar, traveled to Brussels to secure the release of over €16 billion in frozen EU funds. The money had been blocked due to rule-of-law concerns during the tenure of his predecessor, Viktor Orbán. Talks also touched on Ukraine’s European integration path.

Reports indicate the funds were suspended over issues related to judicial independence and academic freedom. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that €10 billion have either been unlocked or are about to be released:

“I can confirm that €10 billion have already been or will be unblocked.” — Ursula von der Leyen

In total, €16.4 billion will become available once Hungary meets the required reform conditions.

Language Rights and Bilateral Cooperation

During his visit, Magyar raised the issue of language rights for the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, stating:

“On cultural and language matters, we would like our Ukrainian partners to agree with our proposals.” — Peter Magyar

He also expressed hope for stronger ties, saying: “After these technical meetings, I would be very pleased to meet with the President of Ukraine to open a truly new chapter in Hungary-Ukraine relations.”

Additionally, von der Leyen noted that Ukraine and Moldova have fulfilled all requirements to open the ‘fundamentals’ cluster in EU accession talks. The next EU summit is scheduled for June 18, where further steps regarding Ukraine’s integration and relations with Hungary may be discussed.

This visit underscores the importance of dialogue among EU member states on rule-of-law issues and European integration. Unlocking financial support for Hungary could mark a significant step in improving intra-EU relations and provide additional resources for reforms in Hungary. At the same time, discussions on the language rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine may become a key element of diplomatic efforts aimed at fostering stability and cooperation in the region.