Hungarian PM Doubts Zelenskyy Visit for October Events
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar stated that he does not expect Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to visit Budapest on October 23, 2026, to mark the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, despite an official invitation being extended, euronews.com reported.
Invitation Extended for October 23 State Ceremonies
Zelenskyy’s deputy chief of staff, Ihor Zhovkva, told Euronews earlier in the week that the Ukrainian leader received an invitation to join events commemorating the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. More than 100 politicians have been invited to the state ceremonies scheduled for October 23.
However, in an interview with 444.hu published on Saturday, Magyar indicated that Zelenskyy’s attendance remains unlikely. The Hungarian prime minister noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin was not invited to the state ceremonies.
Bilateral Talks Following Brussels EU Summit
The remarks follow a meeting between Magyar and Zelenskyy at the European Union summit in Brussels on Friday, where both leaders discussed potential future meetings later this year. “Either I will travel to Kyiv and from there we will go together to Beregszász, or the president will come to Budapest and from there we will go to Beregszász,” Magyar stated.
In a post on X following their Brussels discussion, Magyar expressed his full solidarity with Ukraine as it continues to battle Russia’s ongoing invasion. The two leaders agreed to continue talks at a ministerial level, focusing specifically on improving the situation of minorities in both countries and building a new foundation for political and economic relations.
Kyiv and Budapest Seek to Reset Diplomatic Relations
The invitation forms part of broader efforts to reset relations between Kyiv and Budapest following years of diplomatic disputes. These friction points have repeatedly obstructed Ukraine’s path toward European Union membership.
“We have received an invitation. On 23 October, an event will be held to mark the 70th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution,” Zhovkva said earlier in the week regarding the upcoming state events. “The President of Ukraine has received an invitation to attend. We shall see.”