EditUkrainian experts offer roadmap for Hungary-Ukraine reconciliation in new GMFUS paper
The authors call for a structured, multi-dimensional approach to normalisation that addresses both lingering mistrust and concrete areas of mutual interest
A new working paper published under the German Marshall Fund of the United States’ Hungary–Ukraine Reconciliation Initiative (HURI) provides a Ukrainian perspective on how to turn recent positive signals into lasting cooperation. Authored by Serhiy Gerasymchuk of the Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism” and his co-author Yurchyna, the July 2026 report examines the window of opportunity created by Hungary’s post-election political shift and the June bilateral agreement on minority rights in Transcarpathia.
The paper arrives at a critical juncture. After years of friction under Viktor Orbán – marked by repeated Hungarian vetoes on EU aid to Ukraine, delays in accession talks, and disputes over the rights of the ethnic Hungarian minority – the April 2026 electoral defeat of Fidesz opened space for reset. The new Hungarian leadership has already lifted some blocks on financial assistance and reached a practical agreement with Kyiv on restoring Hungarian-language education, cultural rights, and language use in municipalities with significant Hungarian populations. This deal was explicitly linked to Ukraine’s EU accession action plan, giving Budapest leverage while offering Kyiv a clearer path forward.
Gerasymchuk and Yurchyna argue that this breakthrough should not remain an isolated diplomatic success. Instead, they call for a structured, multi-dimensional approach to normalisation that addresses both lingering mistrust and concrete areas of mutual interest. The report emphasises that both countries share strategic incentives: Ukraine needs stable western borders and diversified energy routes, while Hungary benefits from regional stability, transit revenues, and avoiding isolation within the EU on enlargement policy.
Key areas for cooperation
The authors highlight several priority tracks:
- Minority rights and confidence-building: While welcoming the June agreement, the paper stresses the need for transparent monitoring mechanisms and regular joint working groups. Implementation must be verifiable to prevent future politicisation. They suggest expanding people-to-people contacts, especially in Transcarpathia, through cultural and educational exchanges that benefit both communities.
- Energy and infrastructure security: Hungary’s dependence on transit infrastructure through Ukraine remains sensitive. The report recommends joint investments in pipeline security, diversification projects, and electricity interconnectors. Stable energy cooperation could serve as a confidence-building measure with tangible economic benefits for both sides.
- Economic and trade ties: Beyond removing political obstacles to trade, Gerasymchuk and Yurchyna advocate for deeper integration in sectors where complementarities exist, such as agriculture processing, logistics, and cross-border SME cooperation. They note that reduced friction could help both economies amid wartime disruptions and reconstruction needs.
- Security and Euro-Atlantic integration: The paper positions constructive Hungarian engagement as beneficial for Ukraine’s EU and NATO aspirations. While recognising Hungary’s traditional caution on direct military involvement, it suggests areas of low-risk cooperation, including support for Ukraine’s defence industry modernisation, participation in EU training initiatives, and tacit consent for certain NATO-related formats. A stable bilateral relationship would also strengthen the EU’s eastern flank against hybrid threats.
Realistic expectations
The authors are pragmatic. They do not expect full strategic alignment overnight. Deep historical sensitivities, domestic politics in both countries, and differing threat perceptions vis-à-vis Russia mean that normalisation will be gradual. However, they argue that “disciplined” progress on practical issues can generate positive momentum and reduce the risk of future crises.
The report frames the HURI itself as a useful platform for expert dialogue that can feed into official channels. By involving Ukrainian voices directly in shaping recommendations, it seeks to ensure that reconciliation efforts reflect Kyiv’s priorities and constraints, not just Budapest’s demands.
For EU policymakers and observers already familiar with the long-running Hungary-Ukraine tensions, the Gerasymchuk-Yurchyna paper offers a timely reminder: the recent agreement on minority rights is a necessary but not sufficient condition for durable improvement. Sustained political will, transparent implementation, and expanded cooperation in energy, economy, and security will determine whether this moment marks a genuine turning point or merely a tactical pause.
As Ukraine continues its fight for survival and European integration, and Hungary consolidates its post-Orbán trajectory, the report concludes that pragmatic bilateral engagement serves the interests of both nations – and the wider European project.
Hungary’s new government breaks with Orbán era after condemning Russian strike on Transcarpathia
Caption: Hungarian Premier Peter Magyar attends a joint press conference with his Slovak, Czech, and Polish counterparts to conclude the one-day summit of the Visegrad Group (V4) countries in the Royal Castle in Godollo, northern Hungary, 23 June 2026. EPA/Robert Hegedus
Updated: July 20, 2026 - 16:55
