Media learned what Hungary demands in exchange for opening clusters for Ukraine

Hungary is ready to agree to the opening of the upcoming negotiation clusters for Ukraine if Kyiv demonstrates progress on protecting the rights of the Hungarian national minority in Ukraine. This became known from own sources in the EU, according to Європейська правда.

Hungary demands progress from Ukraine on fulfilling promises regarding the Hungarian minority before Budapest unblocks the opening of clusters.

Diplomatic sources of "EuroPravda" in the Council of the EU reported that the representative of Hungary during the discussion of plans to open clusters 2 and 3 for Ukraine and Moldova stated that Budapest is ready to move forward, but only if Ukraine makes steps forward in implementing the bilateral agreement on the protection of national minorities' rights.

Until then, there will be no progress on opening clusters, the Hungarian side added.

As "European Pravda" reported, at the meeting of the Council of the EU's working group on enlargement (COELA) on Tuesday, September 1, Hungary again refused to approve the screening results of clusters 2 and 3 for Ukraine.

The previous attempt to approve the screening results on July 22, 2026 also failed due to Hungary's position, which was ready to give a "green light" only to moving forward on cluster No. 3 and only for Moldova.

Reminder, in Brussels on July 14, the 6th negotiation cluster "External Relations" was opened for Ukraine, and then Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Taras Kachka assured that the opening of the remaining four clusters is not postponed until "after summer".

Hungary previously blocked the opening of clusters 2-6 for Ukraine at the technical level, but fairly quickly agreed to lift the veto on cluster 6.