Kyiv, July 2, 2024 – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to consider a ceasefire to accelerate the end of the ongoing war with Russia. In his first visit to Kyiv in over a decade, Orbán also expressed his desire for a significant cooperation agreement with Ukraine.
During the visit, Orbán proposed considering a ceasefire as a means to accelerate the end of the ongoing war with Russia. He suggested that a ceasefire, connected to a deadline, could expedite peace talks.
“I asked the president to think about whether we could reverse the order, and speed up peace talks by making a ceasefire first,” Orbán mentioned.
“A ceasefire connected to a deadline would give a chance to speed up peace talks. I explored this possibility with the president and I am grateful for his honest answers and negotiation.”
Zelenskyy did not directly respond to Orbán’s comments but maintained his stance that a ceasefire could allow Russia to regroup and mount a stronger offensive against Ukraine. Despite differing views on the ceasefire, Zelenskyy highlighted the potential for a broad bilateral cooperation agreement.
“The content of our dialogue today on all issues can become the basis for a bilateral document between our states, a document that will regulate all our mutual relations,” Zelenskyy remarked.
“This is clear evidence of our common European priorities and the importance of returning a just peace to Ukraine and the whole of Europe, resolving the existing difficulties and providing new foundations for the strengthening of Europe, economic and social growth,” President Zelenskyy emphasized.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude towards Hungary for its support of Ukraine and humanitarian aid, acknowledging Hungary’s participation in the first Peace Summit and its support for the final communiqué. He noted the potential for Hungary to take a leadership role in the upcoming second Peace Summit, which is hoped to be organized later this year.
“We have discussed in detail how Hungary can demonstrate its leadership in the preparation of the second Peace Summit. We see the possibility of organizing the second Peace Summit already this year, and we would very much like this to happen. We can complete all the preparatory work for this in the coming months,” Zelenskyy stated.
Orbán, known for his critical stance on Western military aid to Ukraine and his close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, met with Zelenskyy for talks aimed at exploring ways to hasten peace efforts. In a brief joint statement to reporters following their discussions, Orbán acknowledged Kyiv’s efforts to promote Zelenskyy’s vision of peace at an international summit held in Switzerland in June and its plans for a follow-up summit later this year.
Orbán’s visit also addressed the importance of enhancing neighborly relations through trade, cross-border cooperation, infrastructure, and energy issues. Notably, the two leaders agreed to open the first Ukrainian school in Hungary, with Hungary pledging to fund the initiative.
“Hungary will take on the funding of this school. As many Ukrainian schools will be opened as needed. It is important for us that Ukrainians feel at home in Hungary,” Orbán said.
The Hungarian Prime Minister expressed optimism about resolving issues concerning the Hungarian national minority in Ukraine and praised President Zelenskyy’s peace initiatives. He assured continued support from Hungary during its EU presidency.
Linking his visit to Hungary’s new role as the six-month rotating presidency of the European Council, Orbán stated, “The aim of the Hungarian presidency is to contribute to solving the challenges ahead of the European Union. That’s why my first trip was to Kyiv.”
ChatnewsTV reports that on Monday Hungary’s nationalist government launches its presidency of the European Union with a Trump-like call to “Make Europe Great Again” after EU lawmakers questioned whether it should be allowed to take on the role.
The EU presidency’s role is to set the agenda, chair meetings of EU members in all fields except foreign or euro zone matters, seek consensus among EU member states and broker agreements on legislation with the European Parliament.
It will be recalled that the EU recently opened formal membership talks with Kyiv, giving Ukraine a boost in its pursuit of joining the bloc, although significant challenges remain. Orbán’s previous comments and actions, including a controversial meeting with Putin last October, have frequently put him at odds with other EU leaders regarding support for Ukraine.
Tensions between Hungary and Ukraine also stem from allegations by Budapest that Ukraine is curbing the rights of approximately 150,000 ethnic Hungarians in western Ukraine. Ukraine has denied these assertions but remains open to addressing any concerns.
A 2017 Ukrainian law requiring all schools to teach students over the age of 10 in Ukrainian has been a particular point of contention, although changes made in December 2023 were seen as an improvement by Hungary, albeit insufficient.
Editor: Gabriel Ani
