BUDAPEST: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has sent a letter to the heads of other European Union member countries briefing them on his recent foreign visits that angered other leaders in the bloc, Orban’s political director said on Monday.
Orban has ignited a diplomatic firestorm within the EU by embarking on visits to Ukraine, Russia, Azerbaijan, China, and the United States without prior consultation with EU countries. Orban’s political director confirmed Monday that the prime minister had sent letters to EU leaders detailing his engagements and objectives during what he termed a “peace mission” to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
Orban’s visits to Moscow and Beijing, where he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, have drawn sharp criticism from EU leaders who accuse him of acting unilaterally and undermining EU solidarity.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen rebuked Orban for his approach, asserting that “appeasement will not stop Putin,” and emphasizing the necessity for EU unity to achieve peace in Ukraine.
Balazs Orban, the prime minister’s political director (unrelated to Viktor Orban), defended the visits, stating that Hungary’s goal is to advocate for peace through realistic assessments and timely actions. He emphasized the need for Europe to play a decisive role in ending the conflict, despite Hungary’s controversial stance of refusing to supply arms to Ukraine and maintaining cordial relations with Moscow.
Critics within the EU and NATO, of which Hungary is a member, have accused Orban of pursuing policies that undermine European unity and align too closely with Russia’s interests. Orban’s outreach to Putin marked the first visit to Russia by an EU head of state or government in over two years.
The fallout from Orban’s diplomatic maneuvers has already led to diplomatic tensions, with some EU countries, including Sweden, Finland, and the Baltic states, opting to boycott upcoming informal meetings under Hungary’s EU presidency. The planned summit of foreign ministers in Budapest in late August may face disruptions as a result of broader discontent within the EU over Orban’s actions.
Hungary’s government, under Orban’s leadership, has consistently advocated for a ceasefire and peace negotiations in Ukraine but has faced criticism for its approach, which lacks clarity on safeguarding Ukraine’s territorial integrity and future security amid Russia’s aggression.
