Budapest: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called on the European Union to initiate direct negotiations with Russia to reach a ceasefire and establish lasting peace in Ukraine.
In a letter addressed to Antonio Costa, the president of the European Council, Orban emphasized the need for the EU to follow the example of the United States in engaging Moscow in peace talks.
The letter, first reported by the Financial Times and journalist Szabolcs Panyi, was confirmed as authentic by multiple diplomats and an EU official. Orban, who has maintained close ties with U.S. President Donald Trump, reiterated his opposition to an EU-wide agreement on Ukraine.
His call for negotiations comes amid tensions following a dramatic confrontation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington, where Zelensky was abruptly removed from the White House. While most European leaders quickly reaffirmed their backing for Kyiv, Orban praised Trump’s approach, stating that he had shown courage in advocating for peace.
The EU has been working to present a united front after Trump bypassed both Ukraine and European allies by initiating direct discussions with Moscow. A high-level summit in Brussels this week will address security assurances for Ukraine and explore new military aid packages.
However, Orban made it clear that Hungary would not back a collective EU stance on these issues, arguing that fundamental strategic differences within the bloc make such an agreement impossible. Instead, he urged the EU to support a recent United Nations Security Council resolution, backed by both the U.S. and Russia, that avoids directly condemning Moscow’s invasion.
