Hungarian President Katalin Novak has accepted an invitation from the Ukrainian government and will attend the upcoming Crimean Platform meeting on August 23 in Kiev, Hungarian news portal Telex reported on Sunday, citing information from the communications directorate of the presidential Sándor Palace.
“This also means that the Hungarian head of state may once again meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in person,” the report said.
Shandor’s Palace added that Novak will visit the Transcarpathian region before traveling to Kiev, where he will take part in the King St. Stephen’s feast on August 20 together with ethnic Hungarians living there.
Hungary was represented at the 2022 Crimea Platform by State Secretary Péter Staray, responsible for energy supply and security policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He stated Hungary’s unwavering support for Ukraine and that Hungary’s main goal was peace.
The publication notes that since then “several things have complicated Hungary-Ukraine diplomatic relations,” including the fact that Novak has not signed a declaration welcoming Ukraine’s new ambassador to Hungary, Fyodor Szandor, since March. “Until this happens, Fedor Szandor, who serves as a volunteer soldier and also teaches at Uzhhorod National University, will not be able to hold his post,” the report said.
“Telex” reports that this week another Hungarian publication “Index”, citing a diplomatic source close to the president, wrote that Novak is postponing the signing of the statement on the acceptance of the new Ukrainian ambassador because he allegedly has not been able to contact Zelensky for several months.
The Hungarian president met with the Ukrainian head of state for the last time on November 26, 2022.
