Russian embassy criticises Hungary’s stance on Ukrainian language rights

Russia’s embassy in Hungary criticised Budapest’s support for Ukrainian education amendments on October 14. The mission argued that expanding rights for selected minorities does not resolve the position of Russian speakers, RIA Novosti reported.

Ukraine’s parliament adopted the amendments on October 12. They address education in minority and indigenous languages, with additional provisions applying to languages that have official status in the European Union. Russian is not an official EU language.

The Russian embassy argued that language protections should cover all population groups. It characterised Hungary’s support for the approach as endorsing discrimination. That is the diplomatic mission’s political assessment, rather than an international court finding.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban linked the amendments to agreements reached during Ukrainian-Hungarian consultations in May and June 2026. She also said the process was not complete and Budapest expected Kyiv to fulfil its commitments.

The Russian mission expressed doubt that Ukraine would implement all Hungarian demands. The dispute concerns differing language protections and compliance with bilateral commitments. The embassy statement itself does not amend the education rules.