Hungary Assumes EU Council Presidency, Orbán Visits Kyiv to Push for Ceasefire
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Hungary began its Presidency of the European Council on Monday, and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s first move was an unannounced visit to Ukraine.
The Details: Orbán, who has previously stalled aid to Ukraine and maintains ties with the Kremlin, asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to “consider a quick ceasefire.” Zelenskyy did not publicly respond to Orbán's ceasefire statement, and the visit marked Orbán’s first trip to Kyiv since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Meanwhile: Concurrently, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Péter Szijjártó, spoke with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, where the two said Kyiv should “unconditionally ensure the rights of all national minorities living in the country.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Hungary hadn’t notified Russia of Orbán’s Ukraine ahead of time. U.S. Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman welcomed the news of the visit and called it “Progress.”
For Context: Run by Orbán’s conservative Fidesz party since 2010, the Hungarian federal government has long been at odds with European Union leadership and the Democratic Party in the U.S. The European Council Presidency is a rotating position that Hungary will hold until December 31. Per Wikipedia, the presidency’s functions include determining agendas, setting a work program, and facilitating dialogue between the council and other EU bodies. Also, per Wikipedia, Ukraine is ethnically 17.3% Russian and 0.3% Hungarian.
How The Media Covered It: Bloomberg (Lean Left bias) described Orbán as a “disruptor” of EU efforts in Ukraine, while ZeroHedge (Lean Right bias) described Hungary as a “lone NATO voice” trying to “end the war” through diplomacy.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Orban Pushes Cease-Fire Plan in Kyiv Talks With Zelenskiy![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-leaning-left.png)
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_300x200/public/1788eb5424610110d74ddaee09d68a6f.jpg?itok=UXZqTdAj)
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to consider a cease-fire during his first visit to Kyiv since Russia’s invasion, putting on display the deep differences between the two leaders.
While Orban’s comments reflect his long-standing call for a peace settlement, Zelenskiy has repeatedly dismissed demands for a cease-fire with Moscow, insisting that Russian forces withdraw from Ukrainian territory.
Still, Orban’s presence alone was a reconciliation of sorts between Ukraine’s wartime leader and the Hungarian premier, who has maintained ties with the Kremlin and at times stalled...
From the Center
Hungary's Orban urges ceasefire on Kyiv visit![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-center.png)
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_300x200/public/69555ed0-38c5-11ef-b9c5-9164067c.jpg?itok=tIPS7PO3)
Viktor Orban arrived in Ukraine on Tuesday for an unannounced visit having just taken over as rotating president of the European Union.
While in Kyiv, the Hungarian prime minister said a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine could speed up negotiations to end the war that followed Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
Mr Orban has been a critic of Western support for Ukraine and is seen as the European leader closest to Russian President Vladimir Putin. This was his first visit to Ukraine in 12 years, although he has met Mr...
From the Right
Viktor Orban Urges Zelensky For 'Quick Ceasefire' In First Visit Since War's Start![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Right AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Right](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-leaning-right.png)
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_300x200/public/orbanandz.jpg?itok=4shkSeWF)
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban is in Kiev for the first time since the Russian invasion, where he has urged Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky "to consider a quick ceasefire" in a private meeting.
Orban told a press briefing after: "I asked the president to think about whether we could approach this a little differently, to take a break, to cease fire, and then proceed with negotiations."
So far, the assumption from Ukraine officials has been there has to be withdrawal of Russian forces from seized Ukrainian territory first, for negotiations leading to a truce to...
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