- POPDIARIES.COM - A La Une - 03/07/2024 04:24

Hungary's Orban calls for a halt to hostilities during his visit to Kyiv

Viktor Orban arrived in Ukraine unexpectedly on Tuesday, having recently assumed the role of rotating president of the European Union. During his visit to Kyiv, the Hungarian prime minister suggested that a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine could facilitate negotiations aimed at ending the conflict that began with Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Mr. Orban has been critical of Western aid to Ukraine and is viewed as the European leader closest to Russian President Vladimir Putin. This marked his first trip to Ukraine in 12 years, despite having had numerous meetings with Mr. Putin during that period. At a joint appearance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, their body language appeared distant, and neither leader took questions from the media following their statements. Mr. Orban had previously delayed the approval of a €50 billion ($54 billion; £42 billion) EU aid package aimed at bolstering Ukraine's defense against Russia. However, as the current head of the European Council for the next six months, he holds a significant position as a symbol of Europe. He visited Ukraine on his second day in this capacity for discussions, emphasizing the importance of resolving past disagreements and focusing on future cooperation. Following their meeting, Mr. Zelensky highlighted the necessity of maintaining Europe's robust support for Ukraine, stressing the importance of enhancing meaningful and mutually beneficial cooperation among all European neighbors. In his own remarks, Mr. Orban underscored the imperative of collaborative efforts while also mentioning that he had proposed a ceasefire to expedite negotiations with Russia. "I have proposed to the president to consider whether a swift ceasefire could accelerate the peace negotiations. I appreciate his candid discussion and responses." Mr. Orban also emphasized, "My initial visit brings me here because the issue of peace is crucial not only for Ukraine but for the entirety of Europe. This conflict you are enduring profoundly affects European security." President Zelensky did not publicly react to these remarks. Later, in a statement on social media, the Ukrainian leader remarked that Mr. Orban's visit to Ukraine was a "clear indication to all of us about the importance of unity in Europe and taking collective actions." "We discussed the path toward a just, lasting, and equitable peace." Many Ukrainians are concerned that a ceasefire could solidify Russia's control over the territories it has seized from Ukraine. They prefer negotiations to be conducted from a position of strength rather than from a defensive stance. READ MORE -  Hurricane Beryl moves towards Jamaica after tearing through the southeastern Caribbean.