Orbán wants to continue self-proclaimed Ukraine 'peace mission'
Viktor Orbán (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has declared his intention to continue his self-proclaimed "peace mission" despite criticism from the European Union, which accuses him of overstepping his country's authority as head of the bloc, according to Bloomberg.
In an interview with state radio, Orbán said that the EU should join China and the United States, if Donald Trump returns to power, in pressuring Russia and Ukraine to initiate peace talks.
Since Hungary assumed its largely administrative role in the EU on July 1, Orbán has used it to elevate his profile in international diplomacy, meeting with leaders such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Trump.
Orbán mentioned that he will continue to announce his meetings only after they occur, as was the case with his unsanctioned trips to Russia and China.
Recently re-elected European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen referred to Orbán's efforts as an "appeasement mission" on July 18, evidently alluding to the Munich Agreement and the attempt to appease Hitler before World War II.
The Hungarian Prime Minister called von der Leyen "naive."
On July 17, the European Commission said it would reduce its participation in informal meetings planned by Hungary during its EU presidency following Orbán's diplomatic trips to Moscow and Beijing. The Commission will also skip the traditional visit of its commissioners to the country holding the presidency.
In May 2024, nearly half of Ukrainians (47%) feared that the US might negotiate a peace deal with Russia without involving the Ukrainian government.
