Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has formally asked Romania, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to facilitate the transit of Ukrainian grain to Western markets. This appeal arises due to heightened Russian military actions in the Black Sea, which have severely impacted Ukraine’s agricultural export capabilities.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said he would not oppose shipments transiting Hungary, provided they do not enter the local market. These remarks were made during an interview with RTL on Saturday, 17 October, following a meeting with President Zelenskyy during a European Union summit in Brussels.
The two leaders concurred on the importance of enhancing bilateral relations between Hungary and Ukraine. Prime Minister Magyar noted that President Zelenskyy sought help transporting grain to Western Europe, drawing parallels to the arrangements used in the early phases of the war three to four years ago.
“President Zelenskyy requested that Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, and other neighbouring countries permit the transit of grain, analogous to the measures adopted at the outset of the conflict,” Magyar stated. He further explained that transporting corn in sealed trains to Western Europe would provide significant support to Ukraine.
“I assured him that as long as the shipments are strictly in transit through Hungary, there will be no impediments,” he added.
Ukraine is a major producer of wheat, corn, and sunflower seeds, with about 90% of its exports typically transported via the Black Sea. Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports have disrupted these deliveries, prompting a shift towards land transport through neighbouring countries.
The Hungarian PM has taken a less confrontational approach to Kyiv than his predecessor, Viktor Orbán, but has firmly stated that Hungary will not send weapons to Ukraine. He also advocates for the rights of the ethnic Hungarian minority in Ukraine. He expressed solidarity with Ukraine against “Russia’s inhuman aggression.”
This situation comes at a challenging time for European agriculture. The European Commission estimated that the EU’s corn harvest could drop to 50.1 million tonnes in 2026, the lowest level in nearly two decades, and about 20% below the average of the past three years.
