- Author, Gordon Corera
- Role, Security Correspondent
- Twitter,
- Report by Kyiv
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Viktor Orban arrived in Ukraine on Tuesday for an unannounced visit after taking over the rotating presidency of the European Union.
During his visit to kyiv, the Hungarian prime minister said that a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine could speed up negotiations aimed at ending the war that followed Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Mr Orban is critical of Western support for Ukraine and is seen as the European leader closest to Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was his first visit to Ukraine in 12 years, although he has met Mr Putin several times during that time.
During his joint appearance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the body language between them was not warm and neither answered questions from the media after making their statements.
Mr Orban had previously slowed down agreement on a €50bn ($54bn; £42bn) EU aid package to support Ukraine in its defence against Russia.
But for the next six months, his position as president of the European Council gives him an influential role as Europe’s figurehead. He came to Ukraine on his second day in office for talks, saying it was necessary to resolve past disagreements and focus on the future.
In his statement after their meeting, Mr Zelensky said it was “very important that Europe’s support for Ukraine is maintained at a sufficient level… it is important that cooperation between all of Europe’s neighbours becomes more meaningful and mutually beneficial.”
In his own statement, Mr Orban stressed the need to work together, but also said he had raised the idea of a ceasefire to speed up negotiations with Russia.
“I have asked the President to consider whether… a rapid ceasefire could be used to expedite peace negotiations… I am grateful for his frank dialogue and responses.”
Mr Orban also said: “My first trip brought me here because the issue of peace is important not only for Ukraine, but for the whole of Europe. This war that you are experiencing has a profound impact on European security.”
President Zelensky has not publicly responded to these comments.
Later, in a message on X, the Ukrainian leader said Mr Orban’s visit to Ukraine was a “clear signal to all of us of the importance of unity in Europe and taking collective action”.
“We discussed the path to a just, lasting and equitable peace.”
Many Ukrainians believe that a ceasefire would only consolidate Russia’s grip on territory it has taken from Ukraine, and if negotiations were to take place, they would prefer that they be conducted from a position of strength rather than from a defensive position.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said his country was open to “working with everyone and solving problems.”
“This work is difficult and time-consuming, but it eventually produces tangible results,” he told the BBC.
“During his visit, President Zelensky had a frank but constructive discussion with Prime Minister Orban on ways to achieve a just peace, not just a ceasefire or peace talks.”
The two leaders also discussed bilateral issues, including the situation of the 100,000 ethnic Hungarians residing in Ukraine.
Mr Orban said both countries were determined to put past disagreements behind them and that he was reassured by the progress made on the rights of ethnic Hungarians.
He also wished Ukraine “every success.”
The EU opened accession negotiations with Ukraine the week before Hungary took over the EU Council presidency.
