KYIV: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Tuesday urged Kyiv to work towards a “quick ceasefire” in Ukraine that could pave the way for peace talks with Russia to end more than two years of war.
During his first-ever visit to Ukraine, standing alongside President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Orban told reporters, “I asked the president to consider whether… a quick ceasefire could speed up the peace talks.” He emphasizing that any ceasefire should be time-limited in nature.
Orban’s visit, coming shortly after Hungary assumed the EU’s rotating presidency, underscores his call for expediting peace negotiations to bring an end to the prolonged conflict with Russia.
Orban’s visit marks a departure from his previous stance, which included criticism of Western support for Ukraine and reservations regarding EU sanctions on Russia. Notably, Hungary has refrained from outright blocking EU measures against Moscow but has wielded influence in delaying or tempering such actions.
The Hungarian leader’s visit coincides with escalating tensions in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces have claimed advances, including the capture of several villages in recent weeks. Amidst ongoing military developments, Orban’s call for a ceasefire underscores his push for regional stability and a resolution to the conflict.
President Zelensky, acknowledging the symbolism of Orban’s visit following Hungary’s assumption of the EU presidency, stressed the importance of achieving a “just peace” in Ukraine while urging continued European military support. The Ukrainian leader has previously expressed disappointment over perceived lack of support from Hungary during critical phases of the conflict.
Historic tensions between Kyiv and Budapest, predating the Russian invasion, have centered on issues such as language policies affecting ethnic Hungarians in western Ukraine. These tensions have occasionally strained bilateral relations, despite Hungary’s dual membership in the EU and NATO, granting it influential leverage over Western support initiatives for Ukraine.
