Hungary Suspends Ukraine Negotiations on National Minorities Amid Diplomatic Expulsions

Hungary has unexpectedly postponed negotiations with Ukraine scheduled for May 12 concerning the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine's Transcarpathia region. These talks were intended to review Hungary's 11 recommendations and were seen as a step toward resolving Budapest's reservations related to Ukraine's EU accession process. The suspension of talks follows escalating tensions after Ukraine's Security Service uncovered a Hungarian military intelligence network operating in Transcarpathia, leading to the detention of two former Ukrainian soldiers and reciprocal diplomatic expulsions between the two countries. Hungarian officials deny the espionage accusations, labeling them propaganda, while also deporting a Ukrainian citizen accused of espionage. These developments complicate Ukraine's EU candidacy, as addressing minority rights is one of the conditions for membership, and Hungary has linked its support to progress on this issue. Additionally, Hungarian officials have expressed concerns that Ukraine's EU accession could weaken Hungary's position and impose significant financial burdens.