Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban made his first visit to Kyiv since the onset of Russia's full-scale war in February 2022, marking a significant diplomatic move given his previous criticisms of European support for Ukraine. Orban, seen as one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest allies in Europe, arrived in Kyiv to discuss European peace with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
"Viktor Orban arrived in Kyiv this morning to discuss European peace with President Volodymyr Zelensky," Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs posted on social media. During a joint statement, Orban urged Zelensky to consider a ceasefire as a means to expedite peace talks with Russia. "I asked the president to think about whether we could reverse the order, and speed up peace talks, with making a ceasefire first," Orban said.
Orban's visit is significant not only because it is his first since the war began but also due to his contentious stance on the conflict. He has frequently suggested ending the war through diplomatic means rather than continued military support for Ukraine. This stance has strained relations between Budapest and Kyiv, exacerbated by Orban's close relationship with Putin.
The Hungarian leader expressed a desire to improve bilateral relations with Ukraine, which have been troubled by Hungary's actions in the EU, where it has often attempted to block initiatives aimed at providing further military and financial support to Kyiv. "We would like to make the relationship between the two countries better," Orban said, proposing a broad bilateral agreement to aid in the modernization of Ukraine's economy.
Orban's relationship with Putin has drawn scrutiny, underpinned by both economic cooperation and shared values. Both leaders have enacted policies curtailing LGBTQ rights and limiting freedom of speech. Hungary has supported Russia at the United Nations and rejected EU sanctions following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.
This visit coincides with Hungary taking over the EU Council's rotating presidency, giving Orban a platform to influence EU priorities over the next six months. Despite his controversial stance, Orban's leadership during this period will be critical as the EU navigates its response to the ongoing conflict.
Other significant European diplomatic events are scheduled for July, including a NATO summit in Washington, DC, from July 9 to 11, where long-term support for Ukraine and discussions about its eventual NATO membership will be key topics. The European Political Community, a forum for 47 European countries, will also meet in the UK on July 18, with Ukraine expected to dominate the agenda.
Zelensky has been advocating for his 10-point peace framework, first released in November 2022, though it has yet to gain traction with Russia. Orban's suggestion of a ceasefire as a precursor to peace talks offers a different approach, highlighting the varied strategies within the EU on how to handle the conflict.
This visit also underscores Orban's attempt to present himself as a peacemaker while balancing Hungary's interests and its complex relationship with both Russia and the EU. "We would be happy to take part in the modernization of Ukraine's economy, we would like an ordered framework for this," Orban stated, emphasizing Hungary's potential role in Ukraine's post-war recovery.
Orban's visit comes as part of his broader strategy to influence European policy, aligning with his recent call to "Make Europe Great Again," echoing former U.S. President Donald Trump's slogan. This rhetoric and Orban's actions will undoubtedly shape the EU's approach to the war in Ukraine and its broader geopolitical strategy.
