Hungary’s Incoming PM Pledges EU Reset and End to Ukraine War

Péter Magyar, the winner of Sunday’s Hungarian parliamentary elections, has announced that Hungary will no longer block a €90 billion European Union loan destined for Ukraine.

Magyar secured a supermajority in the election, winning 138 of 199 parliamentary seats and ending the 16-year rule of Viktor Orbán. In his first press conference following the victory, Magyar described Ukraine as the victim of the war and stated that, based on the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, Ukraine has the right and duty to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

EU Financial Integration and Funds

The European Commission began engagement with the incoming administration on Monday, prioritizing the unblocking of the €90 billion loan that had been vetoed by the Orbán government. The Commission is working toward the release of €35 billion in EU funds that had been frozen due to disputes with the previous administration.

Magyar has pledged a pro-European course for Hungary, which includes a goal to introduce the euro and a commitment to rejoin the European Union consensus on sanctions against Russia. He has called on outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to lift the veto on the Ukraine loan before his exit from office.

Diplomatic Stance on Ukraine and Russia

While recognizing Russia as the aggressor, Magyar’s policy toward Kyiv includes specific limitations. He has stated his opposition to the supply of arms to Ukraine and opposes the country’s rapid accession to both NATO and the European Union.

Regarding direct communication with the Kremlin, Magyar indicated he would answer a call from Vladimir Putin to tell him to stop the war and the killing in Ukraine.

Relations with Kyiv

The Ukrainian government responded to the election results on Monday by lifting a travel advisory that had cautioned Ukrainian citizens against traveling to Hungary. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted that while the election campaign was characterized by anti-Ukrainian rhetoric, that period has now concluded and the risk of provocation has subsided.

This diplomatic shift follows a period of significant tension between Budapest and Kyiv. In early March, relations reached a low point after Hungarian law enforcement detained seven Ukrainian cash-in-transit guards.

Magyar has stated that while he seeks friendly relations with all neighbors, his approach to Ukraine will not constitute a total U-turn from his predecessor’s policies, even as Budapest moves away from the policy of total vetoes.