Zelenskyy jokes about meeting Orban at European Council: 'We said hello, that's something'
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on his interaction with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán during the European Council meeting on October 17 at a press conference following the summit.
The president said that he saw Orbán among other EU leaders. However, Zelenskyy did not mention any specific negotiations with the Hungarian Prime Minister.
"We greeted each other. I think that’s already something," Zelenskyy joked.
Orbán’s pro-Russian stance
Hungary has maintained a controversial position regarding Ukraine. While Budapest asserts its support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, Hungarian authorities have made several contentious statements.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has faced sustained criticism from EU leaders for his perceived alignment with Russian interests, anti-Western rhetoric echoing Kremlin narratives, and for blocking EU aid packages to Ukraine.
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs even suggested Orbán consider exiting the EU and NATO to form an alliance with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Earlier this summer, the European Union decided to relocate meetings of Foreign and Defense Ministers from Budapest to Brussels due to Orbán’s stance and his so-called peace tour.
During a visit to Kyiv, Orbán reportedly urged Zelenskyy to stop resisting Russia’s invasion, lay down arms, and agree to peace talks. Following this, Orbán traveled to Moscow for talks with Putin.
Additionally, Orbán has threatened to block a $50 billion EU loan to Ukraine, a move that could potentially benefit US presidential candidate Donald Trump.
