Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrived in Kiev on Tuesday, where he will meet with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky, amid tensions between the two European leaders over Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Orban, a key ally of Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Europe, is making his first visit to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in early 2022. He will focus his talks with Zelensky on making peace, according to the Hungarian leader’s spokesmanalong with issues in the relationship between Budapest and Kiev.
The meeting takes place after Hungary assumes the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. Orbán has been critical of support for Ukraine, although it is unclear to what extent he will seek to thwart regional efforts as head of the bloc.
Orbán spoke with Zelensky at Argentine President Javier Milei’s inauguration in December, hinting that he would be open to a more formal meeting at that time.
Along with tension over the war with Russia, Orban accused Kiev of infringing on the rights of Hungarian minorities in the western part of Ukraine.
Orban is the only European leader to have met with Russian President Vladimir Putin since he invaded Ukraine, along with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who traveled to Moscow in spring 2022 shortly after the start of the war to warn the Kremlin against the continuation of the invasion.
Orban, however, has been much more supportive of Putin and faced condemnation for his visit to Russia last year.
Hungary is considered Russia’s closest ally in Europe. Orban has taken steps to delay countries’ accession to NATO and block or delay aid packages to Ukraine through the European Union.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
