Surprise visit

Orbán in Kiev for the first time since the start of the war

Hungary's head of government Viktor Orbán met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev as the current EU Council President.(Bild: MTVA - Media Service Support and Asset Management Fund)

For the first time since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has traveled to Kiev to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi. In the presence of Selenskyj, Orbán pleaded for the head of state to advocate a ceasefire in the war with Russia.

Only in this way could peace talks be accelerated. In addition to the efforts towards a peace process, bilateral issues such as the rights of the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia, whose patron saint Orbán has presented himself as for years, were also discussed. The prime minister's spokesperson told the Hungarian news website hvg.hu that the most important topic, however, was the "creation of peace in Ukraine". Bertalan Havasi did not answer who had taken the initiative for the visit this time. The fact is, however, that Zelensky has already sent several invitations to Budapest in the past.

Orbán and Selenskyj in a one-on-one meeting(Bild: APA/AP)

Selenskyj even referred to as an "enemy"
Hungary's Russia-friendly government is considered one of the biggest critics of the leadership in Kiev and has repeatedly blocked EU aid to Ukraine. After his election victory in 2022, Orbán even described Zelenskyi as one of his enemies who had supported the Hungarian opposition in order to "get rid of him". Orbán is likely to put the brakes on the EU accession negotiations with Ukraine during his presidency until the end of the year.

Speaking of the presidency: The Financial Times even speculates that Hungary's role for the rest of 2024 may be the reason for the change of heart. According to the newspaper, the Hungarian leadership is said to have promised to adopt a more neutral position and maintain closer contact with Selenskyj.