Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrived in Kiev on Tuesday, where he will meet Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky. The two European leaders are struggling with tensions over Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Orban, a key ally of the Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Europe, is making his first visit to Ukraine since the Russian invasion in early 2022. He will focus his talks with Zelensky on making peace, the Hungarian leader’s spokesman said, along with issues in relations between Budapest and Kiev.
The meeting comes after Hungary took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. Orban has been critical of support for Ukraine, though it is unclear to what extent he will thwart regional efforts as head of the bloc.
Orban spoke with Zelensky during the inauguration of Argentine President Javier Milei in December and indicated he would be open to a formal meeting around that time.
In addition to tensions over the war with Russia, Orban accuses Kiev of violating the rights of Hungarian minorities in the western part of Ukraine.
Orban is the only European leader to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin since he invaded Ukraine, along with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who traveled to Moscow in the spring of 2022, shortly after the war began, to warn the Kremlin not to continue the invasion.
Orban, however, has been much more sympathetic to Putin and has faced criticism for his visit to Russia last year.
Hungary is seen as Russia’s closest ally in Europe. Orban has decided to delay countries joining NATO and block or delay aid packages to Ukraine via the European Union.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Visit The Hill for breaking news, weather, sports and streaming video.
