Ukrainian and Hungarian foreign ministers meet but fail to break a diplomatic deadlock
A years-long diplomatic conflict between Ukraine and Hungary took a step toward resolution during a meeting between their foreign ministers, but no breakthrough was reached on Hungary’s blocking of a crucial European Union financial aid package for Kyiv
KAMIANYTSIA, Ukraine (AP) — A years-long diplomatic conflict between Ukraine and Hungary took a step toward resolution on Monday during a meeting of their foreign ministers, but no breakthrough was reached on Hungary's blocking of a crucial European Union financial aid package for Kyiv.
The meeting, at a resort near the Ukrainian city of Uzhhorod, came as European leaders are scrambling to persuade Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to lift his veto of 50 billion euros ($54 billion) in EU aid to Ukraine which he announced at an EU summit in December.
Orbán, widely perceived as the Kremlin's closest EU ally, has said he will not support financing the aid through the 27-member bloc's budget, frustrating other EU leaders who are struggling to force a change in his position before a summit in Brussels on Thursday when they will try again to approve the funding.
Monday's meeting was Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto's first visit to Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022, and the only official bilateral meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, in the last two years.
