2024 visits by Viktor Orbán to Russia and China
- Background
In July 2024, Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán embarked on uncoordinated meetings referred to as "peace missions". He visited President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, then traveled to Moscow to meet President of Russia Vladimir Putin, followed by a trip to Beijing to meet Xi Jinping, and finally attended the 2024 Washington summit and met Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. These meetings occurred amidst heightened tensions in Ukraine following Russia's invasion in 2022, with China increasing diplomatic ties to Russia despite economic sanctions by the European Union and the United States.[1]
Orbán's visit to Russia was notable as it lacked official approval from the EU, with Putin claiming Orbán represented the European Union. This led to condemnation from EU leaders and Ukraine's government, who saw it as appeasement towards Russia's policies. There were concerns that Orbán was using his position in the presidency of the Council of the European Union to achieve personal goals contrary to EU policies.[2]
- Prior Meeting with Ukraine
On July 2, Orbán met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv. Orbán proposed a ceasefire to the Russo-Ukrainian War to speed up peace talks. Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine's need for a "just peace" before any ceasefire.[3]
- Meetings
- Russia
Orbán met Putin in Moscow on July 5. Putin rejected the idea of a ceasefire, insisting on Ukraine's withdrawal from annexed territories. Orbán sought Putin's views on peace plans and ceasefire proposals. Putin described the talks as "frank and useful" and thanked Orbán for attempting to restore diplomacy.[4]
- China
On July 8, Orbán visited Beijing to meet Xi Jinping. Orbán praised China's peace efforts, and Xi urged world powers to help reinitiate negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.[5]
- Following Meetings
Orbán attended the 2024 Washington summit on July 9 and 11. On July 11, he met Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, discussing various topics including the Russian war in Ukraine.[6]
- Reactions
Orbán's visit to Moscow was met with condemnation from EU and NATO members. Josep Borrell clarified that Orbán had no EU mandate, and Ursula von der Leyen emphasized EU unity against appeasement.[2]
- Ukraine
The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine condemned Orbán's visit, stating that any agreements must involve Ukraine. President Zelenskyy asserted that Hungary lacked the influence to mediate between Russia and Ukraine.[7]
- European Union
Josep Borrell and Ursula von der Leyen reinforced that Orbán did not represent the EU. Charles Michel stressed that Hungary was not approved to meet with Russia on the EU's behalf.[2]
- Hungary
Orbán defended his actions, stating that Hungary was the only European country talking directly with both conflict parties. He criticized Borrell's response as "Brusselian bureaucratic nonsense".[4]
- References
- ↑ Mistreanu, Simina (2024-07-08). "Hungary's Orbán makes surprise visit to China after trips to Russia and Ukraine". AP News. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "'Peace mission': Hungary's Orban meets Putin in Russia, defying EU leaders". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ↑ "Hungary's Orban urges Ukraine ceasefire on surprise visit to Kyiv". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Spike, Justin; Vladimir, Isachenkov (2024-07-05). "Hungary's Orbán meets Putin for talks in Moscow in a rare visit by a European leader". AP News. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ↑ Mistreanu, Simina (2024-07-08). "China's Xi calls on world powers to help Russia and Ukraine resume direct dialogue". AP News. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ↑ Gram Slattery; Steve Holland; Simon Lewis (2024-07-12). "Hungary's Orban, a NATO outlier on Ukraine, talks 'peace mission' with Trump". Reuters.
- ↑ "Zelenskyy explains why Hungary cannot be mediator between Ukraine and Russia". RBC Ukraine. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
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