Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban published a letter addressed to the leaders of the other countries of the European Union , in which he presents his impressions of his recent self-proclaimed “mission for peace,”, which included trips this month to Moscow and Beijing, which he described as an attempt to reach an agreement to end the war in Ukraine, the Associated Press reported, cited by BTA.
These visits drew heavy criticism from EU leaders, who accused Orbán of holding meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping without consulting their European partners.
In the 10-point letter, Orbán said it was unlikely that Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would take initiatives for a ceasefire or peace talks to end the war.
The warring parties “will not start looking for a way out of the conflict without serious external intervention”, Orban wrote. He believes that the EU is “copying the pro-war policy of the US”, and calls on it to break with Washington and continue efforts for a ceasefire.
Orban has long confused his Western partners by seeking warm relations with Putin, the AP points out. It has also lobbied vigorously for Chinese investment and more China-friendly economic policies, while most EU countries seek to limit Beijing's influence.
Orbán's travels within the “peace mission” have led some governments to consider boycotting the upcoming informal meetings in Budapest related to Hungary's six-month rotating presidency of the EU.
Orbán also met with former President Donald Trump at his Mar a Lago estate in Florida. He supports Trump in his bid to regain the US presidency and said in his letter that the former US president will act as a “peace broker” if he is re-elected to the post in November this year. He defines this scenario as “probable“.
Trump “will not wait until his inauguration, but will be ready to act immediately as a peace broker. He has detailed and well-grounded plans for this”, writes Orban.
Thus, the Hungarian prime minister seems to confirm the fears of Ukraine and many NATO members that if Trump wins the US presidential election, he will significantly reduce American financial and military support for Kiev, AP notes.