International

Hungarian PM Orbán suggests Ukraine ceasefire in first Kiev visit

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to consider a ceasefire in the war with Russia, as he made his first visit to Kiev since the start of the conflict in February 2022, DPA reports.

"International diplomatic rules are slow and complicated. I have asked President [Zelensky] to consider whether it would not be possible to reverse the order and speed up the peace negotiations with a quick ceasefire," said Orbán after a meeting with Zelensky in the Ukrainian capital, according to a report by the Hungarian news agency MTI.

There are currently no negotiations between Kiev and Moscow and the no sign that either is willing to begin talks without conditions seen as unacceptable to the other side.

"The aim of the Hungarian presidency [of the European Union] is to contribute to solving the challenges facing the European Union. My first trip was therefore to Kiev," Orbán said on Facebook.

Hungary has just taken over the rotating six-month presidency of the European Union Council.

Relations between Kiev and Budapest are considered tense, with Orbán considered to be closer to Russia than any other EU leader.

In the past, Orbán has delayed aid for Ukraine and has repeatedly tried to prevent sanctions being opposed on the invading power Russia.

Hungary is still heavily dependent on Russian gas supplies, some of which flow through Ukraine despite the war. However, Kiev does not want to extend the contract, which expires at the end of the year.

Another point of contention is the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine. Orbán has for years portrayed himself as their protector.

At a football match in late 2022, the 61-year-old also provoked people by wearing a scarf with the outline of Greater Hungary from 1920. At that time, Transcarpathia, which is now part of Ukraine, belonged to Hungary.

The last time Orbán was in Ukraine was in 2015, when Zelensky's predecessor Petro Poroshenko was still in office.

According to media reports, Orbán's convoy travelled to the Hungarian embassy on the first stop of his visit to Kiev.

Bogdan Nigai

Bogdan Nigai

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