Ukrainian grain could head west through Hungary: Magyar sees no obstacles

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said Ukrainian grain could transit through his country on its way to Western Europe. He outlined his position in an interview with RTL after the EU summit in Brussels. According to eurointegration.com.ua.

According to the prime minister, three or four years ago, Ukrainian grain was already being transported under an established procedure. That procedure was later discontinued.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously asked neighboring countries to facilitate the transit of grain. During a face-to-face conversation with Péter Magyar, he also asked for help transporting corn by rail to Western Europe. The Hungarian prime minister explained that such cargo could be transported under seal.

“I said that if it is only transiting through the country, then, of course, there are no obstacles to that,” said Péter Magyar.

The leaders’ face-to-face conversation took place on October 16 on the sidelines of the EU summit in Brussels. It was their first official meeting: the talks were held without aides or delegation members.

After the talks, Péter Magyar said that both countries were interested in developing political and economic relations on a new basis.

“Very good,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy, describing his conversation with the Hungarian prime minister.

Hungary wants to restore trust in its relations with Ukraine. It hopes to achieve this through tangible results, mutual respect, and the protection of the rights of the Hungarian community in Zakarpattia.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke about active dialogue between the Ukrainian side and the new government of Hungary, and the possibility of constructively resetting bilateral relations.

Andrii Sybiha also spoke about his first face-to-face meeting with the new Hungarian Foreign Minister, Anita Orbán. He noted their willingness to listen to each other and to open a new chapter in relations between the countries together.

We wrote earlier:

• Agricultural exports rose nearly one and a half times in the first 20 days of September despite port restrictions
• Corn exports from Ukraine nearly doubled to 1.8 million tonnes
• Ukrainians will not go hungry, but the world risks facing an “agricultural Hormuz” — Zelenskyy
• War hits bread: wheat prices reach a three-year high
• Nearly two weeks without ships in Odesa: blockade disrupts the export of 30 million tonnes and threatens losses of up to $3 billion