Hungary’s Orban urges ceasefire on Kyiv visit
Viktor Orban arrived in Ukraine on Tuesday for an unexpected visit shortly after assuming the rotating presidency of the European Union.
During his time in Kyiv, the Hungarian prime minister suggested that a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine could accelerate efforts to resolve the conflict that ensued after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Orban, known for his critical stance on Western support for Ukraine and viewed as the European leader with closest ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, made his first visit to Ukraine in 12 years. Despite frequent meetings with Putin over the years, his joint appearance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lacked warmth, and both leaders declined to take questions from the media after delivering their statements.
Previously, Orban had delayed the approval of a €50bn ($54bn; £42bn) EU aid package intended to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russia. However, as head of the European Council for the next six months, he now holds a significant role as a symbol of Europe. He arrived in Ukraine on his second day in this position to engage in discussions, emphasizing the importance of resolving past disagreements and focusing on the future.
Following their meeting, Zelensky underscored the necessity of sufficiently maintaining Europe’s support for Ukraine and enhancing cooperation among all European neighbors for mutual benefit.
Orban, in his statement, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts while also proposing the idea of a ceasefire to expedite negotiations with Russia.
“I have asked the president to consider whether… a quick ceasefire could be used to speed up peace negotiations… I am grateful for his frank dialogue and his answers.”
Mr Orban also said: “My first trip has taken me here because the issue of peace is important not only for Ukraine, but for the whole of Europe. This war that you are suffering is deeply impacting European security.”
President Zelensky did not publicly respond to those comments.
Later, in a post on X, the Ukrainian leader said Mr Orban’s visit to Ukraine was a “clear signal to all of us of the importance of unity in Europe and taking collective steps”.
“We discussed the path to a just, lasting, and fair peace.”
Many Ukrainians believe a ceasefire would simply cement Russia’s hold over territory it has taken from Ukraine and, if negotiations were to take place, they would prefer them to be conducted from a position of strength rather than on the back foot.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said his country was open to “work with everyone and solve problems”.
“This work is difficult and time-consuming, but it eventually yields tangible results,” he told the BBC.
“During the visit, President Zelensky had a candid but constructive discussion with Prime Minister Orban about ways to achieve a just peace, not simply a ceasefire or peace talks.”
The two leaders also discussed bilateral issues including the 100,000 ethnic Hungarians who reside in Ukraine.
Mr Orban said the two countries were determined to put past disagreements behind them, and that he was reassured progress was being made on the rights of the ethnic Hungarians.
He also wished Ukraine “every success”.
The EU opened membership talks for Ukraine the week before Hungary assumed the EU Council Presidency.
