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Orban of Hungary Meets Putin to Discuss Diplomacy in Russia-Ukraine Conflict

July 5, 2024 TruthUSA

The Hungarian Prime Minister visited Moscow in hopes of advancing peace talks, as Ukraine’s international supporters cast doubts on his effort to end the war.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited Moscow on Friday, stating that a more proactive effort is needed for peace between Russia and Ukraine.

Mr. Orban met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 5, following up on his visit earlier this week with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Despite doubts from Western allies, the Hungarian leader was adamant about meeting with both opposing leaders.

“The number of countries that can engage with both warring sides is diminishing,” Mr. Orban said during his meeting with Putin.

“Hungary is slowly becoming the only country in Europe that can communicate with everyone.”

The Hungarian prime minister expressed his desire to comprehend Mr. Putin’s perspective on the war and establish new diplomatic channels to bring an end to the conflict.

Mr. Orban is the first European leader to visit Russia and hold talks with Mr. Putin since Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer visited Moscow in April 2022, shortly after Russian troops entered Ukraine forcefully.

Western Allies Denounce Efforts

The Kremlin stated that the two leaders discussed potential resolutions to the ongoing war and viewed Mr. Orban’s visit as a step towards enhancing peace talks. However, Mr. Orban’s European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) counterparts criticized his efforts, fearing they might embolden Russia.

“Appeasement will not stop Putin. Only unity and determination will pave the path to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as Mr. Orban arrived in Moscow on Friday.

The White House also expressed doubts about Mr. Orban’s Moscow visit.

“We are concerned that Prime Minister Orban would choose to make this trip to Moscow, which will not advance the cause of peace and is counterproductive to promoting Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated during a press conference on board Air Force One on Friday afternoon.

Ms. Jean-Pierre offered a straightforward solution to the conflict.

“Russia could end this war today by ceasing their aggression against Ukraine, against their sovereignty, against their democracy,” she remarked. “They can withdraw, they can withdraw right now.”

Ms. Jean-Pierre’s comments are not the first time Mr. Putin has heard calls to simply leave Ukraine. The Russian leader has been disregarding such demands from Ukraine and its Western supporters since he initially ordered troops into the country in February 2022.

Mr. Zelenskyy expressed willingness to negotiate early on in the conflict but has since declined any discussions until Russia withdraws from the territories it has captured so far and Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.

Two Russian soldiers patrol in the Mariupol drama theatre, which was bombed on March 16, in Mariupol, Ukraine, on April 12, 2022. (Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images)

‘We Cannot Sit Back and Wait’ Orban Says

Despite his allies’ rejection of his efforts, Mr. Orban insisted that the conflict will not simply resolve itself without an intermediary initiating dialogue.

“You cannot make peace from a comfortable armchair in Brussels,” the Hungarian prime minister posted on X platform on Friday afternoon after his meeting with Putin.

Mr. Orban began his term this week as the rotating president of the EU and has vowed to leverage his position to promote dialogue between Russia and Ukraine.

“Even though the rotating EU Presidency does not have the authority to negotiate on behalf of the EU, we cannot sit idle and wait for the war to miraculously end,” he stated.

While acknowledging his lack of authority to speak for the EU, Mr. Orban mentioned that his meetings with Mr. Zelenskyy and Mr. Putin could pave the way for more fruitful discussions within the 27 EU member states.

Mr. Orban’s visit to Moscow happened just three days after he inquired if Mr. Zelenskyy would be open to a ceasefire now as a stepping stone to a more long-term peace arrangement. The Hungarian leader’s office indicated that he was merely trying to understand Mr. Zelenskyy’s stance on the matter rather than pressuring him into such a proposal. Mr. Orban’s office suggested that the Ukrainian president was not very receptive to the ceasefire idea but indicated he would take time to consider it.

Mr. Putin stated in a Friday press release that Ukraine’s supporters are prolonging the conflict.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with the Russian Foreign Ministry leadership in Moscow on June 14, 2024. (Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images) — Russia’s President Vladimir Putin meets with the Russian Foreign Ministry leadership in Moscow on June 14, 2024. (Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images)

“I have repeatedly stated that we are open to discussing a political and diplomatic resolution. However, the other side is clear in their reluctance to address this issue in that manner,” the Russian leader remarked. “Ukraine’s sponsors continue to use this country and its people as a pawn, making it a victim in the confrontation with Russia.”

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