Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently visited Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Orban’s visit was part of his self-declared “peace mission,” following earlier visits to Kiev and Moscow. He believes China is crucial in promoting peace between Russia and Ukraine.
“China is essential for creating conditions for peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine. That’s why I came to meet President Xi,” Orban told the Hungarian news agency MTI. “China’s commitment to world peace is important for Hungarians. We are a peace-loving people who strive for balance and harmony,” he added, praising China’s peace efforts.
Xi Jinping’s Stance on Peace
President Xi emphasized the need for major world powers to help Ukraine and Russia engage in direct peace talks. He stated, “Only if all major powers apply positive energy instead of negative energy can the dawn of a ceasefire in this conflict arise as soon as possible.” Chinese state television, CCTV, reported his remarks, highlighting the importance of not escalating the conflict.
Support from the Kremlin
The Kremlin appreciated Orban’s efforts. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, said, “He is really taking a serious initiative to compare the positions of different parties. We appreciate this very much.” Russian President Vladimir Putin also praised Orban’s efforts.
Growing Tensions in the EU
However, Orban’s actions have caused friction within the European Union. Some EU member states are concerned about Orban’s self-assigned role in peacekeeping missions. “It should be clear that he represents only his country, but he has left many ambiguities,” a diplomatic source told Ansa.
The ambassadors to the EU will address this issue at the Coreper meeting next Wednesday. The tension is high, especially since Hungary is blocking Ukraine’s military aid. Hungary will hold the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2024, but this does not give it any power in foreign policy. Only the permanent President of the Council of the EU, Charles Michel, and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, have such authority.
Orban’s Diplomatic Activities
Orban admitted that he has no EU mandate but insisted that peace cannot be achieved “from a comfortable armchair in Brussels.” Meanwhile, China aims to mediate the Russia-Ukraine conflict, balancing support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and economic ties with Russia.
Patriots Group and NATO Summit
Orban leads the new group of “Patriots” in the European Parliament, which includes figures like French politician Marine Le Pen and Italian politician Matteo Salvini. After his visit to Beijing, Orban plans to travel to Washington for the NATO summit. It is speculated that he may meet with presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Orban’s Views on the Ukraine Conflict
In a recent interview with the German newspaper “Bild,” Orban predicted that the next few months in Ukraine would be very brutal due to the influx of modern weapons from the West. He stated, “The energy of the confrontation, the number of deaths, and the number of victims will be more brutal than in the last seven months.” Orban also expressed his belief that Russia would not lose the war in Ukraine and showed his trust in Donald Trump, describing him as “a man of peace.”
Conclusion
Orban’s visit to China and his calls for peace have drawn both support and criticism. While the Kremlin and some European allies back his efforts, tensions with the EU are rising. As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the international community watches closely to see how these diplomatic efforts unfold.
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