Hungary has agreed to a deal with Ukraine addressing the rights of its Hungarian minority, removing its veto on the start of Ukraine’s European Union membership negotiations. The agreement, reached after weeks of diplomatic pressure and negotiations, includes provisions for minority language rights in education and cultural expression. Ukraine committed to amending its laws to allow for greater protections for the approximately 150,000-strong Hungarian community within its borders. In return, Hungary will not block the opening of EU accession talks with Ukraine, a crucial step in the country’s bid to join the bloc. The deal was brokered with assistance from international partners and aims to address long-standing grievances regarding the treatment of Hungarian minorities in Ukraine. This breakthrough follows a period of Hungarian obstructionism, fueled by concerns over Ukrainian policies perceived as discriminatory. The European Council is now expected to formally approve the negotiation framework for Ukraine’s EU accession.