Ukraine-Russia war: Hungary’s Viktor Orban calls for ceasefire in Kyiv

Viktor Orban arrived in Ukraine on Tuesday for an unannounced visit, having just taken office as rotating president of the European Union.

During his stay 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 large-scale invasion in 2022.

Mr Orban is a critic of Western support for Ukraine and is seen as the European politician closest to Russian President Vladimir Putin. This was his first visit to Ukraine in 12 years, although he has met with Mr Putin repeatedly during that time.

During his joint appearance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the body language between them was not particularly cordial, and neither of them answered questions from the media after his statements.

Mr Orban had previously delayed an agreement on a 50 billion euro ($54 billion; £42 billion) EU aid package to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia.

But over the next six months he has an influential role as Europe’s figurehead as president of the European Council. Arriving in Ukraine for talks on his second day in that role, he said it was necessary to resolve past disagreements and focus on the future.

In his statement following the meeting, Zelensky said it was “very important that Europe’s support for Ukraine remains at a sufficient level… it is important that cooperation between all neighbors in Europe becomes more meaningful and mutually beneficial.”

In his own statement, Orban stressed the need for cooperation, 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 quick ceasefire could be used to accelerate peace negotiations … I am grateful for his open dialogue and his responses.”

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 suffering from has a profound impact on European security.”

President Zelensky did not respond publicly to these comments.

The Ukrainian president later said in a post on X that Orban’s visit to Ukraine was “a clear signal to all of us about the importance of European unity and joint steps.”

“We discussed the path to a just, lasting and fair peace.”

Many Ukrainians believe that a ceasefire would only cement Russia’s control over the territories it has taken from Ukraine, and if negotiations were to take place, they would prefer to conduct them from a position of strength rather than on the defensive.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said his country was ready to “cooperate with everyone and solve problems.”

“This work is difficult and time-consuming, but it ultimately produces tangible results,” he told the BBC.

“During the visit, President Zelenskyy had a frank but constructive conversation with Prime Minister Orban about ways to achieve a just peace, not just a ceasefire or peace talks.”

The two leaders also discussed bilateral issues, including the 100,000 ethnic Hungarians living in Ukraine.

Orban said the two countries were determined to put their past differences behind them and said he was confident there would be progress on the rights of ethnic Hungarians.

He also wished Ukraine “much success”.

The EU opened accession negotiations with Ukraine in the week before Hungary took over the EU Council Presidency.