Viktor Orban, Hungarian Prime Minister arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday for discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, his first visit since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, indicating warming relations between the neighbors.
The road to #Kyiv. A trip for #peace. pic.twitter.com/nWFf0g86EJ
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) July 3, 2024
The two leaders were pictured shaking hands in a photo posted on X by the Pravda news agency ahead of the summit, which took place a day after Budapest assumed the rotating presidency of the European Union and a week after it dropped its opposition to opening negotiations for Ukraine’s accession to the bloc, which began in Luxembourg on Tuesday.
In the framework of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, my first trip took me to Kyiv today, as the issue of peace is important not only for the security of Ukraine, but for the security of Europe as a whole. #HU24EU @ZelenskyyUa pic.twitter.com/P35J04At7B
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) July 2, 2024
The breakthrough comes after negotiations on the contentious issue of the rights of Ukraine’s ethnic Hungarian minority population, which lives primarily in the country’s southwest and shares a border with Hungary. Budapest has long accused Kyiv of state-sponsored discrimination, which Kyiv denies.
In January, Hungary provided Kyiv with 11 demands for legal, political, and cultural protections for ethnic Hungarians in exchange for Ukrainian EU membership. The list includes the usage of Hungarian in education, including Hungarian-language exams, as well as some more contentious issues, such as ethnic Hungarian political representation in the Rada.
Hungary has consistently pushed to prevent Ukraine’s entrance to the EU and NATO, as well as Western military support and EU sanctions on Russia, with which it has maintained friendly relations.
- Ukraine: Orbán recently made his first visit to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion. During talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he emphasized the war as Europe’s most critical issue and recommended an immediate ceasefire.
- Despite his historically pro-Russian stance, Orbán expressed openness to improving bilateral relations with Ukraine. However, his past actions, such as blocking EU assistance to Ukraine, have strained relations.
- Russia: Orbán and his party, Fidesz, maintain friendly ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Hungary has refused to supply weapons to Ukraine during the conflict and has hindered EU sanctions against Moscow. This stance has raised concerns among other EU leaders.
- Geopolitical Alliances: Viktor Orbán has sought strategic alliances with autocratic powers like China, Turkey, and Russia. These efforts consolidate his global leadership but come at the cost of Hungary’s isolation within the European space, especially given the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Hungary’s stance on Ukraine has evolved over time, influenced by geopolitical factors and regional dynamics.
- Historical Ties:
- Hungary and Ukraine share historical, cultural, and economic ties due to their proximity and shared past.
- Before the 2014 Ukrainian crisis, relations were generally stable, with cooperation in various areas.
- Post-2014 Crisis:
- The annexation of Crimea by Russia and the conflict in eastern Ukraine strained relations.
- Hungary, as an EU member, supported sanctions against Russia but also had concerns about the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine.
- Controversies:
- Hungary’s stance became more complex due to its support for the Hungarian minority in western Ukraine (Transcarpathia).
- Some Ukrainian officials accused Hungary of interfering in their internal affairs by promoting autonomy for Transcarpathian Hungarians.
- Orbán’s Approach:
- Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government has maintained a pragmatic approach.
- Orbán prioritizes Hungary’s national interests, including protecting the rights of Hungarians in Ukraine.
- He has balanced this with maintaining EU unity on sanctions against Russia.
- Recent Developments:
- Orbán’s visit to Kyiv in 2024 signals a willingness to engage directly with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.
- The talks likely focus on peace efforts and addressing bilateral issues.
