Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged Kyiv to work towards a "quick ceasefire" in Ukraine that could pave the way for negotiations with Russia to end more than two years of war. Orban issued the appeal standing next to President Volodymyr Zelensky during a surprise visit to Ukraine, the first by the vocal critic of Western support for Kyiv.

Kyiv

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called for a "quick ceasefire" in Ukraine to facilitate negotiations with Russia to end the ongoing conflict. Orban made this appeal during a surprise visit to Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky. This marks Orban's first visit to Ukraine in over a decade and comes just after he assumed the rotating presidency of the European Union.

Standing next to Zelensky, Orban emphasized the importance of bilateral relations and peace. He suggested that a ceasefire with a set deadline could accelerate peace talks. In response, President Zelensky stated that any peace agreement must be a just one but noted that the talks had been constructive overall.

Despite this attempt at diplomacy, the visit highlighted existing tensions between Hungary and Ukraine. Orban has been a vocal critic of military aid to Kyiv and has consistently opposed Ukraine's EU membership. Additional domestic issues, such as the treatment of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, further complicate relations.

The timing of Orban's visit is notable, coinciding with Hungary's recent takeover of the EU's rotating presidency. Although largely symbolic, this role allows Hungary some influence over the EU's agenda for the next six months.



Hungary's Orban calls for Ukraine ceasefire to speed up peace talks

Far from friends, but side by side. Viktor Orban paid his first visit to Ukraine in over a decade to meet with Vladimir Zelensky. The Hungarian Prime Minister has long been a vocal critic of military aid there. And Orban is Vladimir Putin's closest ally among EU leaders. But in Kyiv, the talk was all about bilateral relations and peace. I asked President Zelensky to think about whether we could reverse the way things are going and to speed up peace talks by first having a ceasefire. A ceasefire connected to a deadline would give a chance to speed up peace talks. In response, Ukraine's President said any future peace deal must be a just one. He did say, though, that the talks were constructive. Overall, the content of our dialogue on all of today's issues could serve as a basis for a future bilateral document between our countries, and will allow our people to benefit from the blessings of European unity. Behind the handshakes and moves for improving bilateral accords are tense relations. Be it over Orban's repeatedly blocking EU aid to Kyiv, Hungary's staunch objection to Ukraine joining the European Union, or more domestic issues between the neighbours, like the treatment of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine. The timing of the visit is a significant one. It comes just a day after Orban took over the six-month rotating presidency of the EU. While it is largely a symbolic role, it does allow Hungary to set the tone for the bloc's agenda over the next six months.

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Ukraine Invasion