First dossier for the new rotating president of the European Union, Viktor Orban: l’Ukraine. On the second day of his presidency, the Hungarian leader flew unexpectedly to Kiev. He spoke with Volodymyr Zelenskyand asked the Ukrainian president – a victim of Russian aggression – to demand “a cease-fire “immediate” to “accelerate the peace negotiations“. But Zelensky responded that Ukraine, massacred by guerraneeds “a just peace“. “It is important that the‘Europa keep the military support to Ukraine as the army struggles to contain attacks launched by the Russia“, Zelensky added. “It is very important for all of us in Europe that Europe’s support for Ukraine remains at a sufficient level, including in terms of our defense against Russian terror.”
This is the first trip by Europe’s most pro-Russian leader to the Ukrainian capital since Russia’s full-scale invasion began 28 months ago. Orbán remains an open opponent of the military aid and Western financial backing to Ukraine. In May, Budapest’s foreign minister called plans to help the war-torn country a “mad mission.”
Il Kremlin immediately downplayed Orbán’s visit to Kiev. Dmitry Peskov He said that the Hungarian leader had gone to Ukraine simply “fulfilling his duties” for the EU presidency, adding that Moscow had not had any contact with Budapest before the trip. Peskov then praised the Hungarian leader as “a politician who firmly defends the interests of his country”.
