Update; Zelensky does not want peace, or is being ordered to not go along with any peace plan.
In a significant diplomatic move, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv. This meeting occurred shortly after Hungary assumed the rotating EU presidency, despite widespread concerns among other European leaders regarding Budapest’s contentious relations with Brussels and its foreign policy stance.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to consider a ceasefire to accelerate an end to the war with Russia, and said he wanted a big cooperation agreement with Kyiv https://t.co/Otyd6IMaLQ pic.twitter.com/rwwoMy3wyU
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 2, 2024
Orbán’s visit, marking his first to Ukraine in a decade, underscores a notable shift in relations between Hungary and Ukraine, historically strained by various political and regional disputes. Despite his country’s controversial rapport with the EU and its close ties with Russia, Orbán emphasized the importance of his visit to Kyiv, suggesting it was aimed at addressing broader European challenges. He noted on social media that his inaugural trip as EU president was to Kyiv, signifying the significance he placed on dialogue with Ukraine.
During a joint media appearance, President Zelenskiy remarked that the discussions could lay the groundwork for a potential future agreement between the two nations. Orbán proposed a swift ceasefire and expedited peace talks, although Zelenskiy did not publicly respond to these suggestions during the briefing.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, Hungarian government spokesman Bertalan Havasi said. They will discuss bilateral relations and the possibility of concluding peace! pic.twitter.com/N32Amry0vh
— Real News (@DrNeculai) July 2, 2024
Hungary’s approach to the conflict in Ukraine has been notably cautious. Orbán has maintained a stance of non-intervention, resisting pressure from other NATO countries to provide military support to Ukraine. His administration has been vocal about not participating in what it views as overly aggressive policies towards the conflict, asserting that such strategies are misguided.
Further complicating the issue is Orbán’s labeling as an “illiberal” leader, a term he has adopted to describe his governance style, diverging from traditional European democratic norms. Recently, he endorsed a candidate for the head of NATO, stipulating that Hungarian support would not extend to active involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
Relations with Russia remain a critical element of Hungary’s foreign policy under Orbán. The Hungarian foreign minister has visited Russia multiple times since the conflict began, signaling ongoing communications despite the war. Moscow, for its part, has downplayed the significance of Orbán’s visit to Kyiv, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that they had no expectations from the trip and were not in contact with Budapest prior to the visit.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to Kyiv on Tuesday for discussions on Hungarian-Ukrainian relations, as confirmed by Orban’s press chief.
The meeting follows Hungary’s assumption of the rotating presidency of the European… pic.twitter.com/PiKyQt75UN
— GAMZIRI24 (@GAMZIRI24) July 2, 2024
Orbán’s initiative also involved negotiations concerning the Hungarian-speaking minority in Ukraine, an issue that has been a longstanding point of contention. Sources suggest that an agreement enhancing the rights of this community was a precondition for the meeting, which could be hailed as a diplomatic success for both parties.
The visit came at a time when both leaders have publicly criticized each other. Zelensky has openly challenged Orbán’s commitment to supporting Ukraine post-invasion, and Orbán has included Zelenskiy in a list of political adversaries. Their interactions highlight the complex and often contentious nature of international diplomacy and the internal politics influencing such relations.
This meeting between Orbán and Zelensky in Kyiv, therefore, represents not just a diplomatic overture but also a strategic maneuver within the broader geopolitical landscape, reflecting both immediate regional concerns and the intricate web of international alliances and conflicts.
Major Points
- Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv, shortly after Hungary assumed the EU presidency.
- The meeting marked a shift in relations, given Hungary’s historical tensions with Ukraine and its controversial ties with Russia.
- Orbán proposed a quick ceasefire and accelerated peace talks, although Zelenskiy did not directly respond to these suggestions.
- The visit also involved discussions about the Hungarian-speaking minority in Ukraine, with an agreement reportedly reached to address their rights.
- Despite ongoing criticism of each other, the leaders’ meeting indicates a strategic diplomatic engagement amid broader geopolitical tensions.
Lap Fu Ip – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
