Hungary is set to receive 16.4 billion euros in frozen EU funds. Ukraine's EU membership issues remain unresolved.
ManyPress Editorial Team
ManyPress Editorial
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on May 29, 2026. The meeting resulted in the EU agreeing to unblock 16.4 billion euros in frozen funds for Hungary. The funds were frozen due to EU rule of law concerns.
EU Membership Talks
The meeting between Magyar and von der Leyen also discussed Ukraine's EU membership negotiations. However, von der Leyen and Magyar stated that there is 'absolutely no link' between the unfreezing of funds and Ukraine's EU accession process. The EU is expected to open the next part of Kyiv's membership process on or just after June 16, but this depends on Hungary lifting its veto.
Minority Rights Issue
Talks are ongoing between Ukraine and Hungary to resolve the issue of the Hungarian minority's rights in Ukraine. According to Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne, nine of Hungary's 11 demands have been successfully negotiated. Magyar will only lift his objection to Ukraine's EU accession once an agreement is reached on this issue.
Key points
- Hungary is set to receive 16.4 billion euros in frozen EU funds.
- The funds were frozen due to EU rule of law concerns.
- The EU is expected to open the next part of Kyiv's membership process on or just after June 16.
- Hungary's veto on Ukraine's EU accession is still in place due to the minority rights issue.
- Nine of Hungary's 11 demands on minority rights have been successfully negotiated with Ukraine.
- A meeting between Magyar and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will not take place until an agreement on minority rights is reached.
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Kyiv Independent.
