Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has recently presented proposals to EU leaders on ways to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to Hungarian newspaper Magyar Nemzet. These proposals are reportedly based on the results of Orban’s contentious peace mission earlier this month, during which he visited Kyiv, Moscow, and Beijing.
The Hungarian leader shared a detailed account of his visits with EU officials, providing them with Budapest’s action plan for dealing with the crisis in Ukraine. According to the prime minister’s political adviser, Balazs Orban (no relation), these proposals are “based on a realistic assessment of the situation” and aim to set “realistic goals.” However, the specifics remain undisclosed.
Balazs Orban stated that there are pro-war factions within the European Union, and claimed that the bloc is following the lead of the current US administration in its stance on the conflict, which, he said, desires to prolong it. He emphasized that if Europe wishes to achieve peace and have a significant role in determining the outcome of the war, they must take action now.
Hungary has been one of the few European Union member states to criticize the bloc’s approach towards the conflict in Ukraine. The country has refused to align itself with Brussels by providing weapons or financial aid to Kiev. Viktor Orban’s recent visit to Moscow was met with condemnation from high-ranking EU officials, as they sought to distance themselves from his efforts.
According to the prime minister’s advisor, external mediators such as China and Turkey could play a pivotal role in negotiating peace. Hungary plans to utilize its six-month rotating presidency, which began in July, to create conditions that would facilitate peace talks. Balazs Orban cautioned that if the union does not act now, they may not be able to take action later.
During his visit to Kyiv, Viktor Orban urged Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to agree to a ceasefire with Russia, an offer that was ultimately rejected by Kremlin. Russian President Vladimir Putin has consistently maintained that hostilities can only be brought to an end if Ukraine satisfies several of Russia’s demands, including legally binding assurances that Kyiv will not seek NATO membership and the withdrawal of troops from Donbass, as well as Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. These proposals have been rejected by Kiev and its Western allies, who view them as an unacceptable ultimatum.