Ukraine no longer advises against travel to Hungary

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has said Ukraine is withdrawing its recommendation that citizens refrain from travelling to Hungary.

"Following the conclusion of Hungary's elections yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is cancelling its previous recommendation for citizens to refrain from travelling to Hungary. This election campaign, which unfortunately was rife with anti-Ukrainian rhetoric, is now behind us. Accordingly, the heightened risk of provocation that led to these restrictions has also subsided," Sybiha wrote on social media.

In early March, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised Ukrainians to avoid travelling to Hungary after seven Ukrainian cash-in-transit guards were detained by the country's authorities.

After the elections ended on 12 April, the ministry has lifted its previous recommendation, Sybiha wrote. He noted that the electoral process had been marked by anti-Ukrainian rhetoric. However, he said these issues have now lost their urgency, reducing the risk of provocations that prompted the restrictions.

Ukraine is ready to normalise relations with Hungary, the minister added.

"The choice of the Hungarian people also marked the defeat of blackmail and anti-Ukrainian propaganda. This is symptomatic. Hungarians have clearly said: enough. This will also have consequences for other parties and movements in Europe that promote similar rhetoric," Sybiha wrote.

The foreign minister added that Ukraine and Hungary still have significant work ahead to restore good neighbourly relations in the interests of both countries and Europe as a whole.

Around 99% of votes have been counted following Hungary's parliamentary elections on 12 April, indicating a decisive victory for opposition party Tisza with a constitutional majority.