Hungary, Ukraine agree to work to resolve language, education conflicts

Hungary and Ukraine have agreed to begin the process
of resolving conflicts over language and education rights for the Hungarian
minority in the Zakarpattia region, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told a
press conference during his personal visit to Kyiv on Jan. 27. His Ukrainian
counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, confirmed that a working group will be formed to
discuss issues on education, as well as conducting an online business forum.
Maintaining his prudent statements on Hungarian activities in Ukraine, Kuleba
told the press conference that he sees “no basis to speak about Hungarian
separatism” in the Zakarpattia region. “Just as there is no basis to believe
the Ukrainian state wants to inflict any damage on Ukrainian Hungarians in
Zakarpattia,” he said. Szijjarto echoed these sentiments, stating, “Accusations
tied to separatism make no sense.”

The personal meeting was initiated by Szijjarto in
late December, after which Kuleba arranged for an invitation, the
eurointegration.com.ua news site reported. Recall, the Hungarian Foreign
Ministry expelled the Ukrainian ambassador on Nov. 30,
and recalled its ambassador from Kyiv the next day, in response to the Security
Service of Ukraine (SBU) announcing investigations into separatist activity by
ethnic Hungarians in Zakarpattia.

Zenon Zawada: An
ambitious and proactive diplomat, Kuleba made it his priority to improve
relations with Hungary in order to get its diplomats to stop blocking NATO
initiatives on Ukraine. But since taking over as foreign minister in March
2020, relations have only grown more turbulent. All the while, Kuleba has kept his
statements and positions on Hungary as neutral as possible, aiming to dampen
the effect of inflamed emotions and provocative actions. This approach bore
fruit in late December, when Kuleba confirmed in a television interview that
Hungary was interested in constructive relations.

We have doubted Hungary’s good will
in resolving relations with Ukraine, given its nationalist government seemed to
capitalize from its various provocations in the form of cheap publicity and
distracting its electorate. Time will tell whether there is any good will, but
Kuleba is determined to find it if it means improving Ukraine’s progress with
NATO integration. We can’t estimate any likelihood for success, but any improvement
in relations with Hungary would be an enormous achievement for Kuleba.