Washington: Hungary's Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to a statement from the US State Department. Rubio emphasized the need for a swift resolution to the conflict and the importance of securing long-term peace and stability in the region.
The meeting took place at a time of uncertainty in US-Ukraine relations, following a tense exchange between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Oval Office last week.
Hungary has maintained a critical stance on the European Union’s approach to supporting Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. While Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has often voiced opposition to EU sanctions against Russia and threatened to block them, Hungary has ultimately voted in favor of each measure. However, Szijjártó’s discussions with Rubio occurred as Budapest signaled it might oppose a unified EU position on Ukraine ahead of a crucial summit on Thursday, which will focus on European defense and support for Kyiv.
Meanwhile, European leaders, including those from the UK and France, met in London over the weekend to discuss the possibility of forming a “coalition of the willing” that could deploy troops to Ukraine as part of security guarantees following a potential peace agreement. Participants—including leaders from the UK, Canada, and France—also reaffirmed their commitment to continuing military aid and ensuring any peace talks respect Ukraine’s sovereignty.
In response, Orbán strongly criticized the proposal, accusing European leaders of prioritizing war over peace.
As the war drags on, EU nations have ramped up defense spending. On Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled a new “Rearm Europe” initiative, which could see member states collectively invest up to €800 billion to strengthen their military capabilities.
