Orban meets Zelensky in kyiv to discuss peace and the Hungarian minority in Ukraine

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban meets on Tuesday in Kiev with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, an unexpected and highly political meeting given the differences, until now irreconcilable, between the two leaders. It is not clear whether the Orban’s visit to Kievthe first since the war began, is bilateral in nature or if he does it as the rotating president of the European Union.

Announcing the trip, Orban’s press chief Bertalan Havasi said: “The opportunity to achieve peace will be the main theme of the meeting”although “they will also discuss current issues facing bilateral relations between Hungary and Ukraine.” Orbanthere is no more important issue at the bilateral level with Ukraine that the rights of the Hungarian minority in the countryalthough his critics accuse him of using this minority as a smokescreen to facilitate the promotion of Russian theories on the conflict.

In any case, it is widely assumed in Hungarian political circles that Orban’s travel plans were finalised after lengthy negotiations on the issue of the rights of the Hungarian-speaking minority and that a precondition for the meeting was that this issue be resolved. It is therefore expected that Orban and Zelenski announce an agreement in that regard.

Relations between Orban and Zelensky have not been smooth. They have even been avoided. At the summit of the UE They held brief talks in Brussels late last week. Earlier, the Ukrainian leader had invited the Hungarian prime minister to visit kyiv. Over the past two and a half years, they have held several brief meetings on the sidelines of international events, but never any substantive talks.

In a telephone conversation on May 8, Zelensky invited Orban to the Swiss conference on Ukraine, but the invitation was declined. At the forum held in the Burgenstock spa on June 15-16, Hungary was represented by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.

The Hungarian government has previously repeatedly stated that the time has not yet come for Orban to visit kyiv or to hold a full meeting with Zelensky. Hungary has insisted on the inclusion of its 11 minority demands in the framework agreement for negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU.

Unlike most European nations, Hungary has repeatedly questioned the need for military support to Ukraine and instead called for a ceasefire. After winning the 2022 parliamentary elections, Orban included Zelensky on a list of candidates opponents who had allegedly conspired against him and supported the opposition.

Meanwhile, Budapest has kept channels open with Moscow, and Minister Szijjártó has made at least five tripsto Russia since the start of the war, the last to visit an economic forum in St. Petersburg last month.